newt security update (RHSA-2009-1463)

Original Release Date: October 23, 2009
Last Revised: April 19, 2013
Number: ASA-2009-476
Risk Level: Low
Advisory Version: 4.0
Advisory Status: Final

1. Overview:

Newt is a programming library for color text mode, widget-based user interfaces. Newt can be used to add stacked windows, entry widgets, checkboxes, radio buttons, labels, plain text fields, scrollbars, and so on, to text mode user interfaces.

A heap-based buffer overflow flaw was found in the way newt processes content that is to be displayed in a text dialog box. A local attacker could issue a specially-crafted text dialog box display request (direct or via a custom application), leading to a denial of service (application crash) or, potentially, arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application using the newt library. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-2905 to this issue.

More information about these vulnerabilities can be found in the security advisory issued by RedHat Linux:

2. Avaya System Products with newt installed:

Product: Affected Version(s): Risk Level: Actions:
Avaya Aura™ Communication Manager 4.x thru 5.2.1 Low For CM 5.2 and earlier, upgrade to 5.2.1 and install Security Service Pack 1 or later, or upgrade to CM 6.0 or later.
For CM 5.2.1, install Security Service Pack 1 or later, or upgrade to CM 6.0 or later.
Avaya Intuity AUDIX LX 2.0 including 2.0 SP1 and 2.0 SP2 Low See recommended actions below. This advisory will not be addressed as no further releases are planned.
Avaya Message Storage Server 4.x, 5.x, 5.x.x specifically 5.2.1 and earlier Low Upgrade to MSS 5.2.2 or later.
Avaya Message Networking 3.1, 5.2 Low Upgrade to MN 5.2.1 or later.
Avaya Aura™ SIP Enablement Services 4.x thru 5.2.1 Low For SES 5.2 and earlier, upgrade to 5.2.1 and install Security Service Pack 1 or later.
For SES 5.2.1, install Security Service Pack 1 or later.
Avaya Voice Portal 5.x Low Upgrade to VP 5.1 or later.
Avaya Meeting Exchange 5.x thru 5.2 including 5.2 SP1 Low Upgrade to MX 5.2 SP2 or later.
Avaya Proactive Contact 4.0, 4.1, 4.1.x Low Upgrade to PC 4.2 or later.
Avaya Aura™ Application Enablement Services 4.x, 4.x.x, 5.x, 5.x.x specifically 5.2.1 and earlier Low Upgrade to AES 5.2.2 or later.

Recommended Actions:
Avaya strongly recommends that customers follow networking and security best practices by implementing firewalls, ACLs, physical security or other appropriate access restrictions. Though Avaya believes such restrictions should always be in place; risk to Avaya's product and the surrounding network from this potential vulnerability may be mitigated by ensuring these practices are implemented until such time as a product recommended actions are applied. Further restrictions as deemed necessary based on the customer's security policies may be required during this interim period.

3. Avaya Software-Only Products:

Avaya software-only products operate on general-purpose operating systems. Occasionally vulnerabilities may be discovered in the underlying operating system or applications that come with the operating system. These vulnerabilities often do not impact the software-only product directly but may threaten the integrity of the underlying platform.

In the case of this advisory Avaya software-only products are not affected by the vulnerability directly but the underlying Linux platform may be. Customers should determine on which Linux operating system the product was installed and then follow that vendor's guidance.

Product: Actions:
CVLAN Depending on the Operating System provided by customers, the affected package may be installed on the underlying Operating System supporting the CVLAN application.
Avaya Integrated Management Suite (IMS) Depending on the Operating System provided by customers, the affected package may be installed on the underlying Operating System supporting the IMS application.
Voice Portal Depending on the Operating System provided by customers, the affected package may be installed on the underlying Operating System supporting the Voice Portal application.
Avaya Aura™ Application Enablement Services 4.x Depending on the Operating System provided by customers, the affected package may be installed on the underlying Operating System supporting the AES application.

Recommended Actions:
In the event that the affected package is installed, Avaya recommends that customers follow recommended actions supplied by RedHat Linux.

4. Additional Information:

Additional information may also be available via the Avaya support website and through your Avaya account representative. Please contact your Avaya product support representative, or dial 1-800-242-2121, with any questions.

5. Disclaimer:

ALL INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION AND IS PROVIDED "AS IS". AVAYA INC., ON BEHALF ITSELF AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES (HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS "AVAYA"), DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FURTHERMORE, AVAYA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES THAT THE STEPS RECOMMENDED WILL ELIMINATE SECURITY OR VIRUS THREATS TO CUSTOMERS' SYSTEMS. IN NO EVENT SHALL AVAYA BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE INFORMATION OR RECOMMENDED ACTIONS PROVIDED HEREIN, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, STATUTORY, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF AVAYA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE DOES NOT AFFECT THE SUPPORT AGREEMENTS IN PLACE FOR AVAYA PRODUCTS. SUPPORT FOR AVAYA PRODUCTS CONTINUES TO BE EXECUTED AS PER EXISTING AGREEMENTS WITH AVAYA.

6. Revision History:

V 1.0 - October 23, 2009 - Initial Statement issued.
V 2.0- June 22, 2010 - Changed all System Products affected versions and actions, and advisory status to final.
V 3.0 - September 10, 2010 - Updated CM actions.
V 4.0 - April 19, 2013 - Updated CM and SES affected versions and actions.

Send information regarding any discovered security problems with Avaya products to either the contact noted in the product's documentation or securityalerts@avaya.com.

© 2009 Avaya Inc. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks identified by the ® or ™ are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of Avaya Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.