CWE
119
Advisory Published

RHSA-2009:1040: Critical: ntp security update

First published: Mon May 18 2009(Updated: )

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is used to synchronize a computer's time<br>with a referenced time source.<br>A buffer overflow flaw was discovered in the ntpd daemon's NTPv4<br>authentication code. If ntpd was configured to use public key cryptography<br>for NTP packet authentication, a remote attacker could use this flaw to<br>send a specially-crafted request packet that could crash ntpd or,<br>potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the "ntp" user.<br>(CVE-2009-1252)<br>Note: NTP authentication is not enabled by default.<br>A buffer overflow flaw was found in the ntpq diagnostic command. A<br>malicious, remote server could send a specially-crafted reply to an ntpq<br>request that could crash ntpq or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with<br>the privileges of the user running the ntpq command. (CVE-2009-0159)<br>All ntp users are advised to upgrade to this updated package, which<br>contains backported patches to resolve these issues. After installing the<br>update, the ntpd daemon will be restarted automatically.

Affected SoftwareAffected VersionHow to fix
redhat/ntp<4.2.0.a.20040617-8.el4_7.2
4.2.0.a.20040617-8.el4_7.2
redhat/ntp<4.2.0.a.20040617-8.el4_7.2
4.2.0.a.20040617-8.el4_7.2

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the severity of RHSA-2009:1040?

    The severity of RHSA-2009:1040 is classified as critical due to the potential for remote code execution.

  • How do I fix RHSA-2009:1040?

    To fix RHSA-2009:1040, upgrade the ntp package to the latest version provided by Red Hat.

  • What software is affected by RHSA-2009:1040?

    RHSA-2009:1040 affects the ntp package version up to and including 4.2.0.a.20040617-8.el4_7.2.

  • What type of vulnerability is described in RHSA-2009:1040?

    RHSA-2009:1040 describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the NTPv4 authentication code.

  • Can RHSA-2009:1040 be exploited remotely?

    Yes, RHSA-2009:1040 can be exploited remotely if the ntpd daemon is configured to use specific authentication methods.

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