TITLE:
HP-UX usermod Recursive Ownership Change Security Issue

SECUNIA ADVISORY ID:
SA19305

VERIFY ADVISORY:
http://secunia.com/advisories/19305/

CRITICAL:
Less critical

IMPACT:
Security Bypass

WHERE:
Local system

OPERATING SYSTEM:
HP-UX 11.x
http://secunia.com/product/138/

DESCRIPTION:
A security issue has been reported in HP-UX, which potentially can be
exploited by malicious people to bypass certain security
restrictions.

The security issue is caused due to an error in the "usermod" command
within the handling of the "-u" and "-m" commandline options. When
"usermod" is used with these options, the ownership of all files and
directories under the specified directory will be recursively changed
to the specified user unintentionally.

The security issue has been reported in  HP-UX B.11.00, B.11.11, and
B.11.23, with the PHCO_29269, PHCO_30275, or PHCO_32181 patches
installed.

SOLUTION:
Apply patch.
http://itrc.hp.com

HP-UX B.11.11:
Install PHCO_33142 or later and verify file/directory ownership.

HP-UX B.11.00 / B.11.23:
Avoid using "usermod" with the affected commandline options and
verify file/directory ownership.

PROVIDED AND/OR DISCOVERED BY:
Reported by vendor.

ORIGINAL ADVISORY:
HPSBUX02102 SSRT051078:
http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=c00614838

----------------------------------------------------------------------

About:
This Advisory was delivered by Secunia as a free service to help
everybody keeping their systems up to date against the latest
vulnerabilities.

Subscribe:
http://secunia.com/secunia_security_advisories/

Definitions: (Criticality, Where etc.)
http://secunia.com/about_secunia_advisories/


Please Note:
Secunia recommends that you verify all advisories you receive by
clicking the link.
Secunia NEVER sends attached files with advisories.
Secunia does not advise people to install third party patches, only
use those supplied by the vendor.

----------------------------------------------------------------------