#VU45414 Input validation error in linux-pam - CVE-2010-3853

Vulnerability identifier: #VU45414

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 6.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2010-3853

CWE-ID: CWE-20

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
linux-pam
Other software / Other software solutions

Vendor: git.kernel.org

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code.

pam_namespace.c in the pam_namespace module in Linux-PAM (aka pam) before 1.1.3 uses the environment of the invoking application or service during execution of the namespace.init script, which might allow local users to gain privileges by running a setuid program that relies on the pam_namespace PAM check, as demonstrated by the sudo program.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

linux-pam: 0.99.1.0 - 1.1.1

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External links
https://lists.vmware.com/pipermail/security-announce/2011/000126.html
https://pam.cvs.sourceforge.net/viewvc/pam/Linux-PAM/modules/pam_namespace/pam_namespace.c?view=log#rev1.13
https://secunia.com/advisories/49711
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201206-31.xml
https://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:220
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2010-0819.html
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2010-0891.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/516909/100/0/threaded
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2011-0004.html
https://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0606
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=643043

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.