HylaFAX: hfaxd unauthorized login vulnerability

Security Team  Contact Address

Updated January 11, 2005

1.  Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Version Information

Advisory Reference GLSA 200501-21 / HylaFAX
Release Date January 11, 2005
Latest Revision January 11, 2005: 01
Impact normal
Exploitable remote
Package Vulnerable versions Unaffected versions Architecture(s)
net-misc/hylafax < 4.2.0-r2 >= 4.2.0-r2 All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #75941

Synopsis

HylaFAX is subject to a vulnerability in its username matching code, potentially allowing remote users to bypass access control lists.

2.  Impact Information

Background

HylaFAX is a software package for sending and receiving facsimile messages.

Description

The code used by hfaxd to match a given username and hostname with an entry in the hosts.hfaxd file is insufficiently protected against malicious entries.

Impact

If the HylaFAX installation uses a weak hosts.hfaxd file, a remote attacker could authenticate using a malicious username or hostname and bypass the intended access restrictions.

3.  Resolution Information

Workaround

As a workaround, administrators may consider adding passwords to all entries in the hosts.hfaxd file.

Resolution

All HylaFAX users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=net-misc/hylafax-4.2.0-r2"

Note: Due to heightened security, weak entries in the hosts.hfaxd file may no longer work. Please see the HylaFAX documentation for details of accepted syntax in the hosts.hfaxd file.

4.  References