ISS Security Brief: Snort RPC Preprocessing Vulnerability

[X-Force <xforce () iss net>]

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Internet Security Systems Security Brief
March 3, 2003

Snort RPC Preprocessing Vulnerability

Synopsis:

ISS X-Force has discovered a remotely exploitable buffer overflow condition
in Snort. Snort is an open source intrusion detection system. A buffer
overflow flaw exists in Snort RPC preprocessing code that is vulnerable to
attack.

Impact:

Remote attackers may exploit the buffer overflow condition to run arbitrary
code on a Snort sensor with the privileges of the Snort IDS process, which
typically runs as the superuser. The vulnerable preprocessor is enabled by
default. It is not necessary to establish an actual connection to a RPC
portmapper service to exploit this vulnerability.

Snort may be installed by default on some commercially available network-
security appliances. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by
directing the exploit towards any host on any network monitored by the Snort
intrusion detection system. A successful attack can either crash the Snort
sensor, or lead to complete remote compromise.

Affected Versions:

Snort 1.8 (July 2001) up to and including Snort-Current (March 3, 2003 1pm ET)

For the complete ISS X-Force Security Advisory, please visit: 
http://www.iss.net/issEn/delivery/xforce/alertdetail.jsp?oid=21951

______

About Internet Security Systems (ISS)
Founded in 1994, Internet Security Systems (ISS) (Nasdaq: ISSX) is a
pioneer and world leader in software and services that protect critical
online resources from an ever-changing spectrum of threats and misuse.
Internet Security Systems is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with
additional operations throughout the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe
and the Middle East.

Copyright (c) 2003 Internet Security Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
worldwide.

Permission is hereby granted for the electronic redistribution of this
document. It is not to be edited or altered in any way without the
express written consent of the Internet Security Systems X-Force. If
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medium excluding electronic media, please email xforce () iss net for
permission. 

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