Home Programs Emergency management Response CCIRC Analytical releases2 AV06-009: Race condition in Sendmail may allow remote code execution

Race condition in Sendmail may allow remote code execution

Number: AV06-009
Date:   22 March 2006

Purpose:

The purpose of this advisory is to bring attention to a potential remote code execution vulnerability in Sendmail prior to version 8.13.6.

Assessment:

A flaw in the way certain Sendmail functions handle asynchronous signals (race condition) may be exploited by a remotely and without authentication to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Sendmail process.
No user interaction is required. An attacker may attempt to exploit this condition indefinitely or until the server runs out of resources.

Suggested action:

PSEPC recommends that administrators test and install the updated version of Sendmail 8.13.6. http://www.sendmail.org/8.13.6.html

Related links: http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-081A.html
http://xforce.iss.net/xforce/alerts/id/216
http://www.frsirt.com/english/advisories/2006/1049
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/17192

Note to readers:

Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) collects information related to cyber threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products. To report threats or incidents, please contact the Government Operations Centre (GOC) at (613) 991-7000 or goc-cog@psepc-sppcc.gc.ca by e-mail.

Unauthorized use of computer systems and mischief in relation to data are serious Criminal Code offences in Canada. Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to local law enforcement organizations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Operations Centre (N.O.C.) provides a 24/7 service to receive such reports or to redirect callers to local law enforcement organizations. The N.O.C. can be reached at (613) 993-4460. National security concerns should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at (613) 993-9620.

For urgent matters or to report any incidents, please contact the Government Operations Centre at:

Phone:      (613) 991-7000
Fax:        (613) 996-0995
Secure Fax: (613) 991-7094
Email:      goc-cog@psepc.gc.ca

For general information on critical infrastructure protection and emergency preparedness, please contact PSEPC's Public Affairs division at:

Telephone: (613) 944-4875 or 1-800-830-3118
Fax: (613) 998-9589
E-mail: communications@psepc.gc.ca