5 - RHSA-2005:830

Problem Description:

Updated OpenSSL096b compatibility packages that fix a remote denial of service vulnerability are now available.

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

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 3 - i386, ia64, ppc, s390, s390x, x86_64 Red Hat Desktop version 3 - i386, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 3 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 3 - i386, ia64, x86_64 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 OpenSSL toolkit implements Secure Sockets Layer (SSL v2/v3), Transport Layer Security (TLS v1) protocols, and serves as a full-strength general purpose cryptography library. OpenSSL 0.9.6b libraries are provided for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 and 4 to allow compatibility with legacy applications.

Testing performed by the OpenSSL group using the Codenomicon TLS Test Tool uncovered a null-pointer assignment in the do_change_cipher_spec() function. A remote attacker could perform a carefully crafted SSL/TLS handshake against a server that uses the OpenSSL library in such a way as to cause OpenSSL to crash. Depending on the server this could lead to a denial of service. (CVE-2004-0079)

This issue was reported as not affecting OpenSSL versions prior to 0.9.6c, and testing with the Codenomicon Test Tool showed that OpenSSL 0.9.6b as shipped as a compatibility library with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 and 4 did not crash. However, an alternative reproducer has been written which shows that this issue does affect versions of OpenSSL prior to 0.9.6c.

Note that Red Hat does not ship any applications with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 or 4 that use these compatibility libraries.

Users of the OpenSSL096b compatibility package are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which contain a patch provided by the OpenSSL group that protect against this issue.

4. Solution:

Before applying this update, make sure all previously released errata relevant to your system have been applied.

To update all RPMs for your particular architecture, run:

rpm -Fvh [filenames]

where [filenames] is a list of the RPMs you wish to upgrade. Only those RPMs which are currently installed will be updated. Those RPMs which are not installed but included in the list will not be updated. Note that you can also use wildcards (*.rpm) if your current directory *only* contains the desired RPMs.

Please note that this update is also available via Red Hat Network. Many people find this an easier way to apply updates. To use Red Hat Network, launch the Red Hat Update Agent with the following command:

up2date

This will start an interactive process that will result in the appropriate RPMs being upgraded on your system.

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

172094 - CVE-2004-0079 OpenSSL remote DoS