J-Security Center

Title: Multiple Linux Vendor pam_console Remote User Vulnerability

Severity: MODERATE

Description:

There is a vulnerability in the Linux pam_console module that could allow an attacker to remotely reboot the workstation or perform other actions limited to local users.
If a workstation is configured to use a display manager (xdm, gdm, kdm, etc.) AND has XDMCP enabled, it is possible for a user who logs in remotely to use Xnest -query to log in on display :1, which is recognized as the system console. This vulnerability is only present if the workstation is running a graphical login manager such as gdm or kdm.

Affected Products:

  • Conectiva Linux 4.0.0
  • Conectiva Linux 4.0.0 es
  • Conectiva Linux 4.1.0
  • Conectiva Linux 4.2.0
  • Conectiva Linux 5.0.0
  • Conectiva Linux 5.1.0
  • Michael K. Johnson pam_console 0.66.0
  • Michael K. Johnson pam_console 0.72.0unpatched
  • RedHat Linux 6.0.0
  • RedHat Linux 6.0.0 alpha
  • RedHat Linux 6.0.0 sparc
  • RedHat Linux 6.1.0 alpha
  • RedHat Linux 6.1.0 i386
  • RedHat Linux 6.1.0 sparc
  • RedHat Linux 6.2.0 alpha
  • RedHat Linux 6.2.0 i386
  • RedHat Linux 6.2.0 sparc

References:

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