ntp security update (RHSA-2009-1039)

Original Release Date: June 9, 2009
Last Revised: June 9, 2009
Number: ASA-2009-203
Risk Level: Low
Advisory Version: 1.0
Advisory Status: Interim

1. Overview:

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is used to synchronize a computer's time with a referenced time source.

A buffer overflow flaw was discovered in the ntpd daemon's NTPv4 authentication code. If ntpd was configured to use public key cryptography for NTP packet authentication, a remote attacker could use this flaw to send a specially-crafted request packet that could crash ntpd. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-1252 to this issue.

Note: NTP authentication is not enabled by default.

A buffer overflow flaw was found in the ntpq diagnostic command. A malicious, remote server could send a specially-crafted reply to an ntpq request that could crash ntpq. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-0159 to this issue.

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

Note: This advisory is specific to products using RHEL5. Other advisories may be issued for products using other versions of RHEL.

2. Avaya System Products using RHEL5 with ntp installed:

Product: Affected Version(s): Risk Level: Actions:
Avaya Voice Portal 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
Avaya Session Manager 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

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 9, 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 securityalerts@avaya.com.

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