Security Bulletin
Summary
There are multiple vulnerabilities in Python used by AIX (CVE-2024-45491, CVE-2024-45490, CVE-2024-45492, CVE-2024-7592, CVE-2024-8088, CVE-2024-6923). Python is used by AIX as part of Ansible node management automation.
Vulnerability Details
CVEID: CVE-2024-45491
DESCRIPTION: libexpat could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by an integer overflow in the dtdCopy function in xmlparse.c. By sending a specially crafted request, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system.
CWE: CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound
CVSS Source: CISA ADP
CVSS Base score: 7.3
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L)
CVEID: CVE-2024-45490
DESCRIPTION: libexpat could provide weaker than expected security, caused by not reject a negative length for XML_ParseBuffer. A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to launch further attacks on the system.
CWE: CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound
CVSS Source: NVD
CVSS Base score: 7.5
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H)
CVEID: CVE-2024-45492
DESCRIPTION: libexpat could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by an integer overflow in the nextScaffoldPart function in xmlparse.c. By sending a specially crafted request, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system.
CWE: CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound
CVSS Source: CISA ADP
CVSS Base score: 7.3
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L)
CVEID: CVE-2024-7592
DESCRIPTION: Python CPython is vulnerable to a denial of service, caused by improper input validation by the http.cookies._unquote() function. By parsing specially crafted cookies that contained backslashes for quoted characters in the cookie value, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to use excess CPU resources.
CWE: CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
CVSS Source: CISA ADP
CVSS Base score: 7.5
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H)
CVEID: CVE-2024-8088
DESCRIPTION: Python CPython is vulnerable to a denial of service, caused by an infinite loop flaw when iterating over names of entries in a zip archive. By using a specially crafted zip archive, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service condition.
CWE: CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop')
CVSS Source: CVE.org
CVSS Base score: 8.7
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/S:N/AU:N/R:U/RE:L)
CVEID: CVE-2024-6923
DESCRIPTION: Python CPython is vulnerable to email header injection, caused by the failure to properly quote newlines for email headers when serializing an email message. By persuading a victim to open a specially crafted email, a remote authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to spoof sender identity, gain unauthorized email sending or loss of control over email communication.
CWE: CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
CVSS Source: CISA ADP
CVSS Base score: 5.5
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L)
Affected Products and Versions
| Affected Product(s) | Version(s) |
| AIX | 7.3 |
| VIOS | 4.1 |
The following fileset levels are vulnerable:
| Fileset | Lower Level | Upper Level |
| python3.9.base | 3.9.0.0 | 3.9.19.3 |
Note:
A. Latest level of Python fileset is available from the web download site:
https://www.ibm.com/resources/mrs/assets?source=aixbp
To find out whether the affected filesets are installed on your systems, refer to the lslpp command found in the AIX user's guide.
Example: lslpp -L | grep -i python3.9.base
Remediation/Fixes
A. FIXES
IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now.
The fixes can be downloaded via https from:
https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/python_fix13.tar
The links above are to a tar file containing this signed advisory, fix packages, and OpenSSL signatures for each package. The fixes below include prerequisite checking. This will enforce the correct mapping between the fixes and AIX Technology Levels.
| AIX Level | Fix |
| 7.3 | python-3.9.20.0.tar.Z |
| VIOS Level | Fix |
| 4.1 | python-3.9.20.0.tar.Z |
To extract the fixes from the tar file:
tar xvf python_fix13.tar
cd python_fix13
Verify you have retrieved the fixes intact:
The checksums below were generated using the "openssl dgst -sha256 [file]" command as the following:
| openssl dgst -sha256 | filename |
| 9b254863ecb37a1c8a27564c29c1062acef32f3d5c18876fb9742016b157470e | python-3.9.20.0.tar.Z |
These sums should match exactly. The OpenSSL signatures in the tar file and on this advisory can also be used to verify the integrity of the fixes. If the sums or signatures cannot be confirmed, contact IBM AIX Support at https://ibm.com/support/ and describe the discrepancy.
openssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [advisory_file].sig [advisory_file]
openssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [ifix_file].sig [ifix_file]
Published advisory OpenSSL signature file location:
https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/python_advisory13.asc.sig
B. FIX AND INTERIM FIX INSTALLATION
To extract the fixes from the tar file:
zcat python-3.9.19.3.tar.Z | tar xvf -
IMPORTANT: If possible, it is recommended that a mksysb backup of the system be created. Verify it is both bootable and readable before proceeding.
To preview the fix installation:
installp -apYd . python3.9.base
To install the fix package:
installp -aXYd . python3.9.base
Workarounds and Mitigations
None
Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins
References
Acknowledgement
Change History
05 Nov 2024: Initial Publication
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES ""AS IS"" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY. In addition to other efforts to address potential vulnerabilities, IBM periodically updates the record of components contained in our product offerings. As part of that effort, if IBM identifies previously unidentified packages in a product/service inventory, we address relevant vulnerabilities regardless of CVE date. Inclusion of an older CVEID does not demonstrate that the referenced product has been used by IBM since that date, nor that IBM was aware of a vulnerability as of that date. We are making clients aware of relevant vulnerabilities as we become aware of them. "Affected Products and Versions" referenced in IBM Security Bulletins are intended to be only products and versions that are supported by IBM and have not passed their end-of-support or warranty date. Thus, failure to reference unsupported or extended-support products and versions in this Security Bulletin does not constitute a determination by IBM that they are unaffected by the vulnerability. Reference to one or more unsupported versions in this Security Bulletin shall not create an obligation for IBM to provide fixes for any unsupported or extended-support products or versions.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
05 November 2024
UID
ibm17174912