2.1 - RHSA-2005:361

Problem Description:

An updated vixie-cron package that fixes various bugs and a security issue is now available.

This update has been rated as having low security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team.

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 - i386, ia64, ppc, s390, s390x, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 - i386, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 - i386, ia64, x86_64

3. Problem description:

The vixie-cron package contains the Vixie version of cron. Cron is a standard UNIX daemon that runs specified programs at scheduled times.

A bug was found in the way vixie-cron installs new crontab files. It is possible for a local attacker to execute the crontab command in such a way that they can view the contents of another user's crontab file. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project assigned the name CAN-2005-1038 to this issue.

Additionally, this update addresses the following issues:

o Fixed improper limits on filename and command line lengths o Improved PAM access control conforming to EAL certification requirements o Improved reliability when running in a chroot environment o Mail recipient name checking disabled by default, can be re-enabled o Added '-p' "permit all crontabs" option to disable crontab mode checking

All users of vixie-cron should upgrade to this updated package, which contains backported patches and is not vulnerable to these issues.

4. Solution:

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released errata relevant to your system have been applied. Use Red Hat Network to download and update your packages. To launch the Red Hat Update Agent, use the following command:

up2date

For information on how to install packages manually, refer to the following Web page for the System Administration or Customization guide specific to your system:

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/

5. Bug IDs fixed (http://bugzilla.redhat.com/):

147636 - cron fails to run user jobs and gives vague error message 154920 - CAN-2005-1038 vixie-cron information leak 159216 - vixie-cron updates for new audit system 163881 - Cron no longer allows read-only crontabs, enforces write access 163882 - cron fails with pam_access 163885 - crontab truncates file names greater than 100 characters. 163888 - CAN-2005-1038 vixie-cron information leak 163889 - [PATCH] List corruption when items are removed from /etc/cron.d