RHSA-2005:033 - Security Advisory

Topic

An updated alsa-lib package that fixes a flaw that disabled stack execution
protection is now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.

This update has been rated as having important security impact by the Red Hat
Security Response Team.

Description

The alsa-lib package provides a library of functions for communication with
kernel sound drivers.

A flaw in the alsa mixer code was discovered that caused stack
execution protection to be disabled for the libasound.so library.
The effect of this flaw is that stack execution protection, through NX or
Exec-Shield, would be disabled for any application linked to libasound.
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has
assigned the name CAN-2005-0087 to this issue

Users are advised to upgrade to this updated package, which contains a
patched version of the library which correctly enables stack execution
protection.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released
errata relevant to your system have been applied. Use Red Hat
Network to download and update your packages. To launch the Red Hat
Update Agent, use the following command:

up2date

For information on how to install packages manually, refer to the
following Web page for the System Administration or Customization
guide specific to your system:

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/

Affected Products

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 4 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 4 ia64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 4 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 4 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 4 ia64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 4 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 4 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 4 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 4 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 4 s390
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 4 ppc

Fixes

• BZ - 144518 - CAN-2005-0087 alsa-lib disables stack protection for it's users

CVEs

• CVE-2005-0087

References

(none)