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===========================================================================
              AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
                               
                   ESB-1999.107 -- CERT Advisory CA-99-10
               Insecure Default Configuration on RaQ2 Servers
                               2 August 1999

===========================================================================

The CERT Coordination Centre has released the following advisory concerning
an insecure default configuration on Cobalt Networks, Inc. RaQ2 Servers.
Insufficient access control mechanisms in the default configuration may
allow any remote user who can establish a connection to an administrative
port on a vulnerable RaQ2 server to install arbitrary software packages
on the server.  This vulnerability may allow remote users to gain root
access.

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CERT Advisory CA-99-10 Insecure Default Configuration on RaQ2 Servers

   Originally released: July 30, 1999
   Source: CERT/CC
   See also: Cobalt Networks Security Announcement
   
Systems Affected

     * Cobalt Networks RaQ2 single rack unit Internet servers
       
I. Description

   A vulnerability has been discovered in the default configuration of
   Cobalt Networks RaQ2 servers that allows remote users to install
   arbitrary software packages to the system. RaQ2 servers are configured
   with an administrative webserver to process remote requests to manage
   the unit. Systems installed with the default configuration have
   insufficient access control mechanisms to prevent remote users from
   adding arbitrary software packages to the system using this webserver.
   
   A document published by Cobalt Networks describes the vulnerability
   and solutions in more detail:
   
   http://www.cobaltnet.com/support/security/index.html
          
II. Impact

   Any remote user who can establish a connection to an administrative
   port on a vulnerable RaQ2 server can install arbitrary software
   packages on the server. This access can then be used to gain root
   privileges on the system.
   
III. Solution

   Configure your Systems to Guard Against this Vulnerability
   
   Install the patches provided by Cobalt Networks:
   
   http://www.cobaltnet.com/patches/RaQ2-Security-1.0.pkg (For RaQ2
          servers)
          
   http://www.cobaltnet.com/patches/RaQ2J-Security-1.0.pkg (For Japanese
          versions of the RaQ2 system)
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   The CERT/CC wishes to thank Cobalt Networks for their assistance in
   developing this advisory.
   ______________________________________________________________________
   
   This document is available from:
   http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-99-10-cobalt-raq2.html.
   ______________________________________________________________________
   
CERT/CC Contact Information

   Email: cert@cert.org
          Phone: +1 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline)
          Fax: +1 412-268-6989
          Postal address:
          CERT Coordination Center
          Software Engineering Institute
          Carnegie Mellon University
          Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890
          U.S.A.
          
   CERT personnel answer the hotline 08:00-20:00 EST(GMT-5) / EDT(GMT-4)
   Monday through Friday; they are on call for emergencies during other
   hours, on U.S. holidays, and on weekends.
   
Using encryption

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Getting security information

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   Copyright 1999 Carnegie Mellon University.
   Conditions for use, disclaimers, and sponsorship information can be
   found in http://www.cert.org/legal_stuff.html.
   
   * "CERT" and "CERT Coordination Center" are registered in the U.S.
   Patent and Trademark Office
   ______________________________________________________________________
   
   NO WARRANTY
   Any material furnished by Carnegie Mellon University and the Software
   Engineering Institute is furnished on an "as is" basis. Carnegie
   Mellon University makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or
   implied as to any matter including, but not limited to, warranty of
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   patent, trademark, or copyright infringement.
   
   Revision History
   July 30, 1999:  Initial release


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