kernel security and bug fix update (RHSA-2009-0331)

Original Release Date: April 15, 2009
Last Revised: May 12, 2009
Number: ASA-2009-114
Risk Level: Low
Advisory Version: 2.0
Advisory Status: Interim

1. Overview:

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

This update addresses the following security issues:

* a buffer overflow was found in the Linux kernel Partial Reliable Stream Control Transmission Protocol (PR-SCTP) implementation. This could, potentially, lead to a denial of service if a Forward-TSN chunk is received with a large stream ID. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-0065 to this issue.

* a memory leak was found in keyctl handling. A local, unprivileged user could use this flaw to deplete kernel memory, eventually leading to a denial of service. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-0031 to this issue.

* a deficiency was found in the Remote BIOS Update (RBU) driver for Dell systems. This could allow a local, unprivileged user to cause a denial of service by reading zero bytes from the image_type or packet_size file in "/sys/devices/platform/dell_rbu/". The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2009-0322 to this issue.

* a deficiency was found in the libATA implementation. This could, potentially, lead to a denial of service. Note: by default, "/dev/sg*" devices are accessible only to the root user. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2008-5700 to this issue.

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

2. Avaya System Products with the RHEL4 kernel installed:

Product: Affected Version(s): Risk Level: Actions:
Avaya Communication Manager CM 5.1 Low CM is only affected by CVE-2009-0322 which impacts S8510 servers. The Remote BIOS Update capability is currently available but not being utilized on Avaya's S8510 servers.

Upgrade to CM 5.2 or later.
Avaya Intuity AUDIX LX IALX 2.0, 2.0 SP1, 2.0 SP2 Low See recommended actions below.  This issue will be addressed in accordance with section five of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy
Avaya Message Storage Server MSS 3.x, 4.x, 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 Message Networking MN 3.1 Low See recommended actions below.  This issue will be addressed in accordance with section five of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy
Avaya SIP Enablement Services SES 5.1 Low SES is only affected by CVE-2009-0322 which impacts S8510 servers. The Remote BIOS Update capability is currently available but not being utilized on Avaya's S8510 servers.

Upgrade to CM 5.2 or later.
Avaya Voice Portal VP 4.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 Meeting Exchange MX 5.0 GA, 5.0 SP1, 5.0 SP2, 5.1 GA, 5.1 SP1 Low See recommended actions below.  This issue will be addressed in accordance with section five of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy
Avaya Proactive Contact PC 4.0, 4.1 Low See recommended actions below.  This issue will be addressed in accordance with section five of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy
Avaya AES AES 4.x to 4.2.2 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 - April 15, 2009 - Initial Statement issued.
V 2.0 - May 12, 2009 - Changed CM and SES recommended actions.

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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