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Strategic Reconnaissance Team Security Advisory (SRT2002-04-31-1159)

Topic : Mnews local and remote overflow vulnerabilities
Date : May 31, 2002
Credit : zillion[at]safemode.org
Site : http://www.snosoft.com

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.: Description:
---------------

 Mnews is a small console based email and news client which is often
 installed setgid mail. Several local and remote overflows have been
 identified in this package.

 Local overflows where found in the -f, -n, -D, -M, -P parameters and
 in the JNAMES, MAILSERVER environment variables. The remote overflow
 resides in the code responsible for processing responses received from
 the NNTP server. For example the following response will result in an
 overflow:

 200 <a x 770>

 If you look at the source code of mnews you will see that this package
 is very outdated and dangerous to use on todays Internet.

.: Impact:
----------

 Local users might be able to elevate their privileges on the affected
 systems. Remote malicious server owners can use mnews to penetrate an
 affected system.

 We strongly recommend to stop using mnews.

.: Systems Affected:
--------------------

 Systems running the mnews package version 1.22 are affected. It is
 very likely that older versions are also affected.

.: Proof of Concept:
--------------------

 A working exploit that illustrates the danger of this package will
 be released soon.