OBSOLETE Patch-ID# 102060-01
Keywords: security, SunOS, 4.1.x, passwd, -F, root, race-condition
Synopsis: OBSOLETED by 105153
Date: Oct/28/94

Solaris Release: 1.1.1

SunOS Release: 4.1.3_U1

Unbundled Product: 

Unbundled Release: 

Xref: Patch 102023 is the 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.3C version of this patch.

Relevant Architectures: sparc

BugId's fixed with this patch: 1169007

Changes incorporated in this version: 

Patches accumulated and obsoleted by this patch: 

Patches which conflict with this patch: 

Patches required with this patch: 

Obsoleted by: 105153 on Nov/26/97

Files included with this patch: 

   /usr/bin/passwd

Problem Description: 

   1169007: Security: Root access possible on SunOS 4.1.x via forced passwd
            race condition.

Patch Installation Instructions: 

   1) Login as root.

   2) Make a backup copy of the old file (if you have installed any other
      version of passwd, you may wish to save under another name):
	cp /usr/bin/passwd /usr/bin/passwd.fcs

      (It is important to use "cp" instead of "mv" for this because the
      same passwd program is actually stored under several hard-linked
      alias names and it is important to update them all.)

   3) Change the permissions on the saved file to prevent its execution:
	chmod 400 /usr/bin/passwd.fcs

   4) Copy in the patched file:
	cp passwd /usr/bin/passwd

   5) Set ownership & permissions:
	chown root /usr/bin/passwd
	chgrp staff /usr/bin/passwd
	chmod 4555 /usr/bin/passwd

   This patch restricts the use of the passwd command's -F option to root,
   unless the system administrator explicitly permits non-root users to
   use the option for specifically-identified alternate password files.

   If you wish to permit such use, set up a file called /etc/pwfiles
   containing a line for each full path you wish to allow non-root users
   to specify as an argument to the -F option.  Lines in /etc/pwfiles
   which do not begin with a "/" character are treated as comments; this
   effectively allows non-root users to use only fully-specified paths
   with -F.  The use of the /etc/pwfiles file in this way is analogous to
   the way the /etc/shells file is used by the passwd command to restrict
   the shells non-root users can set up for themselves (you can see the
   passwd man page for more information on the /etc/shells file).

   Unauthorized non-root use of the -F flag produces the message:

         passwd: -F may not be specified for file <-F arg>.