Re: CERT Advisory CA-95:02.binmail.vulnerabilities

[neil () legless demon co uk (Neil Woods)]

> > The CERT Coordination Center thanks Eric Allman, Wolfgang Ley, Karl
> > Strickland, Wietse Venema, and Neil Woods for their contributions to
> > mail.local.
>
> Last billing there Neil, though I note its in alphabetical order. It
> does seem a little thick headed that cert, in its wisdom, did not simply
> refer people to several 8lgm advisories already on the subject. As for the
> "mail.local" not been perfect - what are they advising? the installation of
> something less that perfect as far as root-bugs are concerned? 
>
>       "But mom, I'm only a little bit pregnant"
>
> > From my examinations of mail.local, its fine unless you can write to the mail
> spool directory. If you can, then its raceable.

I know of no problems with the mail.local code provided, I'd advise anyone 
with sunos/ultrix boxes to use it.  I wouldn't trust any patch provided
by either DEC or SUN at this moment in time.  I haven't looked at any
other available src, so I can't recommend anything else.

Even with a mode 777 spool directory, this code is secure (IMHO 8).  If 
anyone thinks otherwise, then please post a description of why you 
believe it is so, a script isn't necessary.

As our names are on the advisory, I guess you can take that as a seal of
approval.

Cheers,

Neil
-- 
Let the Mystery Be, So Watcha Want, Longing In Their Hearts, Hate My Way,
M-Bike, Safari, Uncle June and Aunt Kiyoti, Daisy Dead Petals, Tuff Gnarl.

     ...like a badger with an afro throwing sparklers at the Pope...