RHBA-2011:0298 - Bug Fix Advisory

Topic

Updated volume_key packages that fix multiple bugs are now available Red Hat
Enterprise Linux 6.

Description

The volume_key packages provide a command-line tool and a set of libraries for
manipulating storage volume encryption keys and storing them separately from
volumes.

The main goal of the software is to allow restoring access to an encrypted hard
drive if the primary user forgets the passphrase. The encryption key back up can
also be useful for extracting data after a hardware or software failure that
corrupts the header of the encrypted volume, or to access the company data after
an employee leaves abruptly.

This update fixes the following bugs:

• Previously, the volume_key documentation did not specify which of the two

block devices to use as an argument to volume_key(8). Due to this problem,
unexpected errors caused confusion. With this update, the volume_key.8 man page
and the README file clarify whether to use the encrypted or plaintext block
device, and how to recognize it. (BZ#636541)

• Previously, libvolume_key did not provide textual descriptions for a subset of

error conditions. Due to this behavior, some error messages contained
nonsensical characters instead of readable text. This update adds the missing
textual descriptions. The error messages now describe the cause of the error.
(BZ#638732)

• Previously, the volume_key(8) utility could not be interrupted when waiting

for a password or passphrase input. This update makes the volume_key(8) utility
interruptible in such cases, and notifies the user if the entered passphrase is
incorrect. (BZ#641111)

• Previously, the volume_key(8) utility prompted the user for a passphrase

before it validated the supplied certificate file, if any. Due to this behavior,
any errors in the file were detected only after the user entered additional
information. This update detects and reports such errors immediately, without
prompting the user for a passphrase. (BZ#643897)

All Users are advised to upgrade to these updated volume_key packages, which fix
these bugs.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure all previously-released errata
relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via the Red Hat Network. Details on how to
use the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at
http://kbase.redhat.com/faq/docs/DOC-11259

Affected Products

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 6 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 6 ppc64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Scientific Computing 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support (for IBM z Systems) 6 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support Extension 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support Extension 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support Extension (for IBM z Systems) 6 s390x

Fixes

CVEs

(none)

References

(none)