kernel security and bug fix update (RHSA-2009-0473)

Original Release Date: June 8, 2009
Last Revised: June 8, 2009
Number: ASA-2009-167
Risk Level: Low
Advisory Version: 1.0
Advisory Status: Interim

1. Overview:

The kernel packages contain the Linux kernel, the core of any Linux operating system.

This update fixes the following security issues:

* a logic error was found in the do_setlk() function of the Linux kernel Network File System (NFS) implementation. If a signal interrupted a lock request, the local POSIX lock was incorrectly created. This could cause a denial of service on the NFS server if a file descriptor was closed before its corresponding lock request returned. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2008-4307 to this issue.

* a deficiency was found in the Linux kernel system call auditing implementation on 64-bit systems. This could allow a local, unprivileged user to circumvent a system call audit configuration, if that configuration filtered based on the "syscall" number or arguments. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-0834 to this issue.

* the exit_notify() function in the Linux kernel did not properly reset the exit signal if a process executed a set user ID (setuid) application before exiting. This could allow a local, unprivileged user to elevate their privileges. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-1337 to this issue.

* a flaw was found in the ecryptfs_write_metadata_to_contents() function of the Linux kernel eCryptfs implementation. On systems with a 4096 byte page-size, this flaw may have caused 4096 bytes of uninitialized kernel memory to be written into the eCryptfs file headers, leading to an information leak. Note: Encrypted files created on systems running the vulnerable version of eCryptfs may contain leaked data in the eCryptfs file headers. This update does not remove any leaked data. Refer to the Knowledgebase article in the References section for further information. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-0787 to this issue.

* the Linux kernel implementation of the Network File System (NFS) did not properly initialize the file name limit in the nfs_server data structure. This flaw could possibly lead to a denial of service on a client mounting an NFS share. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-1336 to this issue.

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

2. Avaya System Products with RHEL5 kernel installed:

Product: Affected Version(s): Risk Level: Actions:
Avaya Communication Manager CM 5.2, 5.2.x Low See recommended actions below.  This issue will be addressed in accordance with section five of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy
Avaya SIP Enablement Services SES 5.2 Low See recommended actions below.  This issue will be addressed in accordance with section five of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy
Avaya Session Manager SM 1.1 Low See recommended actions below.  This issue will be addressed in accordance with section five of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy
Avaya Voice Portal VP 5.x Low See recommended actions below.  This issue will be addressed in accordance with section five of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy

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 update is available. 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.
AES 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 - June 8, 2009 - Initial Statement issued.

Send information regarding any discovered security problems with Avaya products to either the contact noted in the product's documentation or [email protected].

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