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IBM SECURITY ADVISORY
 
 
First Issued:  Fri May 26 15:45:51 CDT 2006
 
==========================================================================
                           VULNERABILITY SUMMARY
 
VULNERABILITY:      A vulnerability in lsmcode may allow local
                    users to execute arbitrary code with root
                    privileges.
 
PLATFORMS:          AIX 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3.
 
SOLUTION:           Apply the APAR, interim fix or workaround as
                    described below.
 
THREAT:             A local user may execute arbitrary code as root.
 
CERT VU Number:     n/a
CVE Number:         n/a
=========================================================================
                           DETAILED INFORMATION
 
 
I.  Description
===============
 
A vulnerability was discovered in the lsmcode command that may allow a 
local attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user. The lsmcode
command is used to display microcode and firmware levels of system
adapters and devices.
 
 
lsmcode ships as part of the bos.diag.util fileset.
 
 
II. Impact
==========
 
A local user may execute arbitrary code as the root user.
 
 
III.  Solutions
===============
 
A. Official Fix
 
IBM provides the following fixes:
 
 
      APAR number for AIX 5.1.0:  IY85518 (available approx. 7/19/06)
      APAR number for AIX 5.2.0:  IY88524 (available approx. 8/23/06)
      APAR number for AIX 5.3.0:  IY85517 (available approx. 8/23/06)
 
NOTE: Affected customers are urged to upgrade to the latest applicable
Technology Level.
 
B. Interim Fix
 
Interm fixes will be available within the coming week. When available, the
ifixes can be downloaded via ftp from aix.software.ibm.com .
 
 
 
C. Workaround
 
Remove Non-Root Permissions
+----------------
To prevent non-root users from running the command 
 
# chmod 500 /usr/sbin/lsmcode
 
These permissions will only allow the root user to run lsmcode.
 
 
IV. Obtaining Fixes
===================
 
AIX Version 5 APARs can be downloaded from:
 
     http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/unixservers/aixfixes.html
 
Security related Interim Fixes can be downloaded from:
 
     ftp://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security
 
 
V.  Contact Information
=======================
 
If you would like to receive AIX Security Advisories via email, please
visit:
 
     http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/subscriptions/pqvcmjd
 
Comments regarding the content of this announcement can be directed to:
 
     security-alert@austin.ibm.com
 
To request the PGP public key that can be used to communicate securely
with the AIX Security Team send email to security-alert@austin.ibm.com
with a subject of "get key". The key can also be downloaded from a PGP
Public Key Server. The key id is 0x9391C1F2.
 
Please contact your local IBM AIX support center for any assistance.
 
eServer is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
IBM, AIX and pSeries are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective
holders.
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