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                                  CERT-Renater

                       Note d'Information No. 2004/VULN473
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DATE                      : 04/11/2004

HARDWARE PLATFORM(S)      : /

OPERATING SYSTEM(S)       : Systems running socat versions prior to 1.4.0.3.

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200410-26
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                                             http://security.gentoo.org/
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   Severity: Normal
      Title: socat: Format string vulnerability
       Date: October 25, 2004
       Bugs: #68547
         ID: 200410-26

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Synopsis
========

socat contains a format string vulnerability that can potentially lead
to remote or local execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of
the socat process.

Background
==========

socat is a multipurpose bidirectional relay, similar to netcat.

Affected packages
=================

     -------------------------------------------------------------------
      Package         /  Vulnerable  /                       Unaffected
     -------------------------------------------------------------------
   1  net-misc/socat      < 1.4.0.3                          >= 1.4.0.3

Description
===========

socat contains a syslog() based format string vulnerablility in the
'_msg()' function of 'error.c'. Exploitation of this bug is only
possible when socat is run with the '-ly' option, causing it to log
messages to syslog.

Impact
======

Remote exploitation is possible when socat is used as a HTTP proxy
client and connects to a malicious server. Local privilege escalation
can be achieved when socat listens on a UNIX domain socket. Potential
execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the socat process is
possible with both local and remote exploitations.

Workaround
==========

Disable logging to syslog by not using the '-ly' option when starting
socat.

Resolution
==========

All socat users should upgrade to the latest version:

     # emerge --sync
     # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=net-misc/socat-1.4.0.3"

References
==========

   [ 1 ] socat Security Advisory
         http://www.dest-unreach.org/socat/advisory/socat-adv-1.html

Availability
============

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at
the Gentoo Security Website:

   http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200410-26.xml

Concerns?
=========

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the
confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost
importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to
security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2004 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text
belongs to its owner(s).

The contents of this document are licensed under the
Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0


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