AIX 5.3 TL 11 : xntpd (IZ71610)

medium Nessus Plugin ID 63803

Synopsis

The remote AIX host is missing a security patch.

Description

'NTP mode 7 (MODE_PRIVATE) is used by the ntpdc query and control utility. In contrast, ntpq uses NTP mode 6 (MODE_CONTROL), while routine NTP time transfers use modes 1 through 5. Upon receipt of an incorrect mode 7 request or a mode 7 error response from an address that is not listed in a 'restrict ... noquery' or 'restrict ...
ignore' segment, ntpd will reply with a mode 7 error response and log a message.'

'If an attacker spoofs the source address of ntpd host A in a mode 7 response packet sent to ntpd host B, both A and B will continuously send each other error responses, for as long as those packets get through.'

'If an attacker spoofs an address of ntpd host A in a mode 7 response packet sent to ntpd host A, then host A will respond to itself endlessly, consuming CPU and logging excessively.'.

Solution

Install the appropriate interim fix.

See Also

https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/xntpd_advisory.asc

Plugin Details

Severity: Medium

ID: 63803

File Name: aix_IZ71610.nasl

Version: 1.6

Type: local

Published: 1/24/2013

Updated: 4/21/2023

Supported Sensors: Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 6.0

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 6.4

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

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/o:ibm:aix:5.3

Required KB Items: Host/AIX/lslpp, Host/local_checks_enabled, Host/AIX/version

Patch Publication Date: 3/2/2010

Vulnerability Publication Date: 3/2/2010

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2009-3563

CERT: 568372