OpenVPN: Multiple vulnerabilities

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200511-07 / OpenVPN
Release Date	November 06, 2005
Latest Revision	November 06, 2005: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
net-misc/openvpn	< 2.0.4	>= 2.0.4	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #111116

Synopsis

The OpenVPN client is potentially vulnerable to the execution of arbitrary code and the OpenVPN server is vulnerable to a Denial of Service issue.

2. Impact Information

Background

OpenVPN is a multi-platform, full-featured SSL VPN solution.

Description

The OpenVPN client contains a format string bug in the handling of the foreign_option in options.c. Furthermore, when the OpenVPN server runs in TCP mode, it may dereference a NULL pointer under specific error conditions.

Impact

A remote attacker could setup a malicious OpenVPN server and trick the user into connecting to it, potentially executing arbitrary code on the client's computer. A remote attacker could also exploit the NULL dereference issue by sending specific packets to an OpenVPN server running in TCP mode, resulting in a Denial of Service condition.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

Do not use "pull" or "client" options in the OpenVPN client configuration file, and use UDP mode for the OpenVPN server.

Resolution

All OpenVPN users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=net-misc/openvpn-2.0.4"

4. References

Page updated November 06, 2005

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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