Scientific Linux Security Update : postgresql84 on SL5.x i386/x86_64

medium Nessus Plugin ID 61154

Synopsis

The remote Scientific Linux host is missing one or more security updates.

Description

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system (DBMS).

A signedness issue was found in the way the crypt() function in the PostgreSQL pgcrypto module handled 8-bit characters in passwords when using Blowfish hashing. Up to three characters immediately preceding a non-ASCII character (one with the high bit set) had no effect on the hash result, thus shortening the effective password length. This made brute-force guessing more efficient as several different passwords were hashed to the same value. (CVE-2011-2483)

Note: Due to the CVE-2011-2483 fix, after installing this update some users may not be able to log in to applications that store user passwords, hashed with Blowfish using the PostgreSQL crypt() function, in a back-end PostgreSQL database. Unsafe processing can be re-enabled for specific passwords (allowing affected users to log in) by changing their hash prefix to '$2x$'.

These updated postgresql84 packages upgrade PostgreSQL to version 8.4.9. Refer to the PostgreSQL Release Notes for a full list of changes :

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/release.html

All PostgreSQL users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which correct this issue. If the postgresql service is running, it will be automatically restarted after installing this update.

Solution

Update the affected packages.

See Also

https://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/release.html

http://www.nessus.org/u?f78efe70

Plugin Details

Severity: Medium

ID: 61154

File Name: sl_20111017_postgresql84_on_SL5_x.nasl

Version: 1.6

Type: local

Agent: unix

Published: 8/1/2012

Updated: 1/14/2021

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 4.7

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 5

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

Vulnerability Information

CPE: x-cpe:/o:fermilab:scientific_linux

Required KB Items: Host/local_checks_enabled, Host/cpu, Host/RedHat/release, Host/RedHat/rpm-list

Patch Publication Date: 10/17/2011

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2011-2483