iPlanet WebServer, remote root compromise

Next Generation Security Technologies
http://www.ngsec.com
Security Advisory


Title: iPlanet WebServer, remote root compromise
ID: NGSEC-2002-4
Application: iPlanet WebServer 4.* up to SP11
Date: 11/19/2002
Status: Vendor contacted on 09/28/2002, (Sun Microsystems).
Platform(s): Unix & Windows OSs.
Author: Fermín J. Serna <[email protected]>
Location: http://www.ngsec.com/docs/advisories/NGSEC-2002-4.txt


Overview:
- ----------

Under certain circumstances an attacker can execute commands (usually
as root), using the combination of two security vulnerabilities on
iPlanet Web Server 4.* up to SP11 (NG-XSS).

These two vulnerabilities are:

- Insecure open()s at Admin Server PERL scripts
- Cross Site Scripting

The only need will be, through social skills, to have the Administrator
review the logs within iPlanet Admin Server.

This vulnerability can not be exploited on a 6.* version because XSS
was silently fixed in these releases.

Find a detailed vulnerability analysis of NG-XSS on iPlanet WebServers
in our WhitePaper "iPlanet NG-XSS Vulnerability Analysis" at:

http://www.ngsec.com/ngresearch/ngwhitepapers/


Technical description:
- -----------------------

If we consider each vulnerability alone, we have no chance to execute
commands at the iPlanet Web Server since XSS payload is Browser Hijacking
and the vulnerable PERL script is protected by an authentication schema.

iPlanet Web Server suffers from a XSS vulnerability when the Administrator
reviews the error logs through iPlanet Admin Server. XSS triggers once
the Administrator has successfully logged on the Admin Server.

The trick is not to exploit the open() PERL vulnerability directly, but
use instead the XSS to redirect the Administrator's browser to the URL
that will cause the open() command injection.
Since he is already authenticated, we bypass the authentication schema.

We will use the following Javascript code:

<script>
window.location="/https-admserv/bin/perl/importInfo?dir=|<command>%00";
</script>


Proof of vulnerability:
- ------------------------

Find an exploit for this vulnerability at:

http://www.ngsec.com/ngresearch/ngadvisories/

There is a case study exploitation (sending the attacker an xterm) with
some screenshots, in the aboved mentioned WhitePaper.


Recommendations:
- -----------------
Avoid iPlanet's Admin Server usage, until Sun releases a patch for
these vulnerabilities. Alternatively upgrade to iPlanet v.6.*

This vulnerability could not have been exploited on a NGSecureWeb(r)
protected iPlanet Web Server.

Find more information on NGSecureWeb features at:

http://www.ngsec.com/ngproducts/ngsw/

- --
More security advisories at: http://www.ngsec.com/ngresearch/ngadvisories/
PGP Key: http://www.ngsec.com/pgp/labs.asc

Copyright(c) 2002 NGSEC. All rights reserved.

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