Synopsis

Low: shadow-utils security and bug fix update

Type/Severity

Security Advisory: Low

Topic

An updated shadow-utils package that fixes a security issue and several
bugs is now available.

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

Description

The shadow-utils package includes the necessary programs for converting
UNIX password files to the shadow password format, as well as programs
for managing user and group accounts.

A flaw was found in the useradd tool in shadow-utils. A new user's
mailbox, when created, could have random permissions for a short period.
This could allow a local attacker to read or modify the mailbox.
(CVE-2006-1174)

This update also fixes the following bugs:

• shadow-utils debuginfo package was empty.
  
• chage.1 and chage -l gave incorrect information about sp_inact.
  

All users of shadow-utils are advised to upgrade to this updated
package, which contains backported patches to resolve these issues.

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 3 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 3 ia64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 3 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 ia64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 3 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 3 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 3 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 3 s390
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 3 ppc

Fixes

• BZ - 176949 - shadow-utils-debuginfo is empty
• BZ - 216635 - chage does not show the Account Expires if its shadow field is 0.
• BZ - 229194 - CVE-2006-1174 shadow-utils mailbox creation race condition

CVEs

• CVE-2006-1174

References

• http://www.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#low

This erratum does not contain any packages.