ppp: No denial of service vulnerability

1.  Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Version Information

Related bugreports: #69152

Synopsis

pppd contains a bug that allows an attacker to crash his own connection, but it cannot be used to deny service to other users.

2.  Impact Information

Background

ppp is a Unix implementation of the Point-to-Point Protocol.

Description

The pppd server improperly verifies header fields, potentially leading to a crash of the pppd process handling the connection. However, since a separate pppd process handles each ppp connection, this would not affect any other connection, or prevent new connections from being established.

Impact

We incorrectly thought that this bug could be exploited to deny service to all ppp users. It is not the case, this bug has no security impact whatsoever. Many thanks to Paul Mackerras from the Samba team for correcting our mistake.

3.  Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no need for a workaround.

Resolution

ppp users can keep their current versions.

4.  References

• Incorrect BugTraq Advisory