PyXML security update (RHSA-2010-0002)

Original Release Date: February 19, 2010
Last Revised: October 15, 2010
Number: ASA-2010-025
Risk Level: Low
Advisory Version: 2.0
Advisory Status: Final

1. Overview:

PyXML provides XML libraries for Python. The distribution contains a validating XML parser, an implementation of the SAX and DOM programming interfaces, and an interface to the Expat parser.

A buffer over-read flaw was found in the way PyXML's Expat parser handled malformed UTF-8 sequences when processing XML files. A specially-crafted XML file could cause Python applications using PyXML's Expat parser to crash while parsing the file. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-3720 to this issue.

This update makes PyXML use the system Expat library rather than its own internal copy; therefore, the RHSA-2009:1625 expat update needs to be included with this PyXML update to resolve the CVE-2009-3720 issue.

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

2. Avaya System Products with PyXML installed:

Product: Affected Version(s): Risk Level: Actions:
Avaya Intuity AUDIX LX All Low This advisory will not be addressed by Intuity AUDIX LX as no further releases are planned.
Avaya Message Networking 3.1 Low Upgrade to MN 5.2 or later.
Avaya Proactive Contact 4.0, 4.1 Low Upgrade to PC 4.2 or later.
Avaya Aura™ System Platform 1.1 Low Upgrade to SP 6.0 or later.
Avaya Aura™ System Manager 1.x, 5.2, 6.0 Low Upgrade to SM 6.0 SP1 or later.

Recommended Actions for System Products:
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 actions is 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 for Software-Only Products:
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 - February 19, 2010 - Initial Statement issued.
V 2.0 - October 15, 2010 - Changed MN, PC, SP and SM affected versions and actions, and advisory status to final.

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

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