From: cert-advisory-request@cert.org (CERT Advisory)
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 15:18:31 EST
Original-To: cert-advisory@cert.org
Subject: CERT Advisory - Revised VMS Monitor Vulnerability
Organization: Computer Emergency Response Team : 412-268-7090
Newsgroups: ch.network
Distribution: ch


CA-92:18		     CERT Advisory
			   November 17, 1992
		    Revised VMS Monitor Vulnerability 

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	       *** THIS IS A REVISED CERT ADVISORY ***
*** IT CONTAINS NEW INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF IMAGE KITS ***
	      *** SUPERSEDES CERT ADVISORY CA-92:16 ***


The CERT Coordination Center received information concerning a
potential vulnerability with Digital Equipment Corporation's VMS
Monitor. This vulnerability is present in V5.0 through V5.4-2 but has
been corrected in V5.4-3 through V5.5-1.  The Software Security 
Response Team at Digital has provided the following information
concerning this vulnerability.

The remedial image kit was not available at the time CERT distributed
the CA-92:16.VMS.monitor.vulnerability advisory (dated September 22,
1992).  At that time, Digital strongly suggested that customers either
upgrade to VMS V5.4-3 (preferably to V5.5-1) or implement the provided
workaround if unable to upgrade.

The following SSRT-200-1 addendum contains information about the
availability of new images to address the possible vulnerability with
VMS Monitor.

This last and final addendum includes new information about remedial
images for VMS V5.0 through V5.4-2.
 
Digital strongly suggests that those customers who were unable to
upgrade their systems (i.e., VMS V5.0 through V5.4-2) obtain and
install the remedial image kit on their system(s).

For additional information, please contact your normal Digital 
Services Support Organization.


 	   The information separated by the hash (#) line is
	 excerpted from the previously published CERT Advisory
##############################################################################

SSRT-0200      PROBLEM: Potential Security Vulnerability Identified in Monitor
                SOURCE: Digital Equipment Corporation
                AUTHOR: Software Security Response Team - U.S.
                        Colorado Springs USA

               PRODUCT:  VMS
Symptoms Identified On:  VMS, Versions 5.0, 5.0-1, 5.0-2, 5.1, 5.1-B,
                                       5.1-1, 5.1-2, 5.2, 5.2-1, 5.3,
                                       5.3-1, 5.3-2, 5.4, 5.4-1, 5.4-2

            *******************************************************
            SOLUTION: This problem is not present in VMS V5.4-3
                      (released in October 1991) through V5.5-1
                      (released in July, 1992.)
            *******************************************************
Copyright (c) Digital Equipment Corporation, 1992 All Rights Reserved.
Published Rights Reserved Under The Copyright Laws Of The United States.
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PROBLEM/IMPACT:
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     Unauthorized privileges may be expanded to authorized users of a system
     under certain conditions, via the Monitor utility.   Should a system be
     compromised through unauthorized access, there is a risk of potential
     damage to a system environment.  This problem will not permit unauthorized
     access entry, as individuals attempting to gain unauthorized access will
     continue to be denied through the standard VMS security mechanisms.
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SOLUTION:
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     This potential vulnerability does not exist in VMS V5.4-3
     (released in October 1991) and later versions of VMS through V5.5-1.

     Digital strongly recommends that you upgrade to a minimum of VMS V5.4-3,
     and further, to the latest release of VMS V5.5-1. (released in July, 1992)

################################################################################
	End of material excerpted from previously published CERT Advisory


          Beginning of Text Provided by Digital Equipment Corporation
================================================================================
     21-OCT-1992 SSRT-0200-1 (ADDENDUM)
     21-AUG-1992 SSRT-0200
	
     SOURCE: 		Digital Equipment Corporation
     AUTHOR: 		Software Security Response Team - U.S.
                        Colorado Springs USA

	     PRODUCT: VMS MONITOR V5.0 through V5.4-2 

             PROBLEM: Potential Security Vulnerability in VMS Monitor Utility
            SOLUTION: A VMS V5.0 through V5.4-2 remedial kit is now available 
                      by contacting your normal Digital Services Support 
                      organization.     

            NOTE:     This problem has been corrected in VAX VMS V5.4-3
                      (released in October 1991).  
           __________________________________________________________________
           The kit may be identified as MONTOR$S01_05* or CSCPAT_1047 
           via DSIN , and DSNlink.
	   ------------------------------------------------------------------
	
     Copyright (c) Digital Equipment Corporation, 1992 All Rights Reserved.
     Published Rights Reserved Under The Copyright Laws Of The United States.

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     ADVISORY ADDENDUM INFORMATION:
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     In August 1992, an advisory and article was distributed describing a 
     potential security vulnerability discovered in the VMS Monitor utility and
     provided suggested workarounds to remove the vulnerability. The advisory
     was labeled SSRT-200 "Potential Security Vulnerability in VMS Monitor
     Utility".

     This advisory follows that advisory with information of the
     availability of a kit containing a new sys$share:spishr.exe for VMS
     V5.0-* through VMS V5.4-2 and may be identified as MONTOR$S01_050
     through MONTOR$S01_054 respectively from your Digital Services
     organization.
     In the U.S.the kit is also identified as CSCPAT_1047 via DSIN and DSNlink.

Note:This potential vulnerability does not exist in VMS V5.4-3 and later
     versions of VMS.  Digital strongly recommends that you upgrade to a
     minimum of VMS V5.4-3, and further, to the latest release of VMS V5.5-1.
     (released in July, 1992)

     If you cannot upgrade to a minimum of VMS V5.4-3 at this time,
     Digital strongly recommends that you install the available V5.0-* 
     through V5.4-2 kit on your  system(s), available from your support 
     organization, to avoid any potential vulnerability. 

     You may obtain a kit for VMS V5.0 through V5.4-2 by contacting your normal
     Digital Services support organization. (Customer Support Center, using 
     DSNlink or DSIN, or your local support office)   

     As always, Digital recommends that you periodically review your system
     management and security procedures.  Digital will continue to review and
     enhance the security features of its products and work with customers to
     maintain and improve the security and integrity of their systems.

===========================================================================
        End of Text provided by Digital Equipment Corporation

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CERT wishes to thank Teun Nijssen of CERT-NL (the SURFnet CERT, in the
Netherlands) for bringing this security vulnerability to our attention.
We would also like to thank Digital Equipment Corporation's Software Security
Response Team for providing information on this vulnerability.
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If you believe that your system has been compromised, contact CERT or
your representative in FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams).

Internet E-mail: cert@cert.org
Telephone: 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline)
           CERT personnel answer 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. EST(GMT-5)/EDT(GMT-4),
           on call for emergencies during other hours.

CERT Coordination Center
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890