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Are Your Servers Secure?
By Blessen Cherian
In a word, No. No machine connected to the internet is 100% secure. This doesn't mean that you are helpless. You can take measures to avoid hacks, but you cannot avoid them completely. This is like a house — when the windows and doors are open then the probability of a thief coming in is high, but if the doors and windows are closed and locked the probability of being robbed is less, but still not nil.
What is Information Security?
For our purposes, Information Security means the methods we use to protect sensitive data from unauthorized users.
Why do we need Information Security?
The entire world is rapidly becoming IT enabled. Wherever you look, computer technology has revolutionized the way things operate. Some examples are airports, seaports, telecommunication industries, and TV broadcasting, all of which are thriving as a result of the use of IT. "IT is everywhere."
A lot of sensitive information passes through the Internet, such as credit card data, mission critical server passwords, and important files. There is always a chance of some one viewing and/or modifying the data while it is in transmission. There are countless horror stories of what happens when an outsider gets someone's credit card or financial information. He or she can use it in any way they like and could even destroy you and your business by taking or destroying all your assets. As we all know "An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure," so to avoid such critical situations, it is advisable to have a good security policy and security implementation.
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LinuxSecurity.com Feature Extras:
Getting to Know Linux Security: File Permissions - Welcome to the first tutorial in the 'Getting to Know Linux Security' series. The topic explored is Linux file permissions. It offers an easy to follow explanation of how to read permissions, and how to set them using chmod. This guide is intended for users new to Linux security, therefore very simple. If the feedback is good, I'll consider creating more complex guides for advanced users. Please let us know what you think and how these can be improved.
The Tao of Network Security Monitoring: Beyond Intrusion Detection - To be honest, this was one of the best books that I've read on network security. Others books often dive so deeply into technical discussions, they fail to provide any relevance to network engineers/administrators working in a corporate environment. Budgets, deadlines, and flexibility are issues that we must all address. The Tao of Network Security Monitoring is presented in such a way that all of these are still relevant.
Encrypting Shell Scripts - Do you have scripts that contain sensitive information like passwords and you pretty much depend on file permissions to keep it secure? If so, then that type of security is good provided you keep your system secure and some user doesn't have a "ps -ef" loop running in an attempt to capture that sensitive info (though some applications mask passwords in "ps" output).
Bulletproof Virus Protection - Protect your network from costly security breaches with Guardian Digital’s multi-faceted security applications. More then just an email firewall, on demand and scheduled scanning detects and disinfects viruses found on the network. Click to find out more!
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Thank you for reading the LinuxSecurity.com weekly security newsletter. The purpose of this document is to provide our readers with a quick summary of each week's most relevant Linux security headline.
Debian | ||
Debian: New Python2.2 packages fix unauthorised XML-RPC internals access | ||
4th, February, 2005
For the stable distribution (woody) this problem has been fixed in version 2.2.1-4.7. No other version of Python in woody is affected. advisories/debian/debian-new-python22-packages-fix-unauthorised-xml-rpc-internals-access |
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Debian: New squid packages fix several vulnerabilities | ||
4th, February, 2005
LDAP is very forgiving about spaces in search filters and this could be abused to log in using several variants of the login name, possibly bypassing explicit access controls or confusing accounting. advisories/debian/debian-new-squid-packages-fix-several-vulnerabilities-15114 |
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Debian: New php3 packages fix several vulnerabilities | ||
7th, February, 2005
Updated packages. advisories/debian/debian-new-php3-packages-fix-several-vulnerabilities |
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Debian: New emacs20 packages fix arbitrary code execution | ||
8th, February, 2005
Updated package. advisories/debian/debian-new-emacs20-packages-fix-arbitrary-code-execution |
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Debian: New PostgreSQL packages fix arbitrary library loading | ||
4th, February, 2005
Upgrade advisories/debian/debian-new-postgresql-packages-fix-arbitrary-library-loading |
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Debian: New xemacs21 packages fix arbitrary code execution | ||
8th, February, 2005
Updated xemacs package. advisories/debian/debian-new-xemacs21-packages-fix-arbitrary-code-execution |
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Debian: New xview packages fix potential arbitrary code execution | ||
9th, February, 2005
Updated Package advisories/debian/debian-new-xview-packages-fix-potential-arbitrary-code-execution |
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Debian: New evolution packages fix arbitrary code execution as root | ||
10th, February, 2005
Max Vozeler discovered an integer overflow in a helper application inside of Evolution, a free grouware suite. A local attacker could cause the setuid root helper to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. advisories/debian/debian-new-evolution-packages-fix-arbitrary-code-execution-as-root |
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Debian: New mailman packages fix several vulnerabilities | ||
10th, February, 2005
Updated advisories/debian/debian-new-mailman-packages-fix-several-vulnerabilities |
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Debian: New hztty packages fix local utmp exploit | ||
10th, February, 2005
Updated package advisories/debian/debian-new-hztty-packages-fix-local-utmp-exploit |
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Fedora | ||
Fedora Core 3 Update: system-config-printer-0.6.116.1.1-1 | ||
4th, February, 2005
Bug-fix update. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-system-config-printer-0611611-1-14-36-00-118187 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: hwbrowser-0.19-0.fc3.2 | ||
4th, February, 2005
Upgrade advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-hwbrowser-019-0fc32-14-36-00-118188 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: python-2.3.4-13.1 | ||
4th, February, 2005
n object traversal bug was found in the Python SimpleXMLRPCServer. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-python-234-131-17-58-00-118190 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: postgresql-7.4.7-1.FC3.2 | ||
7th, February, 2005
Updated package. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-postgresql-747-1fc32-16-35-00-118202 |
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Fedora Core 2 Update: postgresql-7.4.7-1.FC2.2 | ||
7th, February, 2005
Updated package. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-2-update-postgresql-747-1fc22-16-36-00-118203 |
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Fedora Core 2 Update: cups-1.1.20-11.11 | ||
8th, February, 2005
A problem with PDF handling was discovered by Chris Evans, and has been fixed. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (https://www.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2004-0888 to this issue. FEDORA-2004-337 attempted to correct this but the patch was incomplete. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-2-update-cups-1120-1111-12-50-00-118212 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: cups-1.1.22-0.rc1.8.5 | ||
8th, February, 2005
A problem with PDF handling was discovered by Chris Evans, and has been fixed. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (https://www.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2004-0888 to this issue. FEDORA-2004-337 attempted to correct this but the patch was incomplete. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-cups-1122-0rc185-12-51-00-118213 |
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Fedora Core 2 Update: hotplug-2004_04_01-1.1 | ||
8th, February, 2005
This update fixes updfstab in the presence of multiple USB plug/unplug events. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-2-update-hotplug-20040401-11-12-51-00-118214 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: emacs-21.3-21.FC3 | ||
8th, February, 2005
This update fixes the CAN-2005-0100 movemail vulnerability and backports the latest bug fixes. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-emacs-213-21fc3-20-38-00-118219 |
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Fedora Core 2 Update: xpdf-3.00-3.8 | ||
9th, February, 2005
Updated XPDF advisories/fedora/fedora-core-2-update-xpdf-300-38-12-03-00-118223 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: xpdf-3.00-10.4 | ||
9th, February, 2005
Updated XPDF advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-xpdf-300-104-12-04-00-118224 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: kdegraphics-3.3.1-2.4 | ||
9th, February, 2005
Updated KDEGraphics advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-kdegraphics-331-24-12-04-00-118225 |
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Fedora Core 2 Update: kdegraphics-3.2.2-1.4 | ||
9th, February, 2005
Updated kdegraphics advisories/fedora/fedora-core-2-update-kdegraphics-322-14-12-05-00-118226 |
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Fedora Core 2 Update: gpdf-2.8.2-4.1 | ||
9th, February, 2005
Updated advisories/fedora/fedora-core-2-update-gpdf-282-41-17-07-00-118230 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: gpdf-2.8.2-4.2 | ||
9th, February, 2005
Updated advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-gpdf-282-42-17-08-00-118231 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: mailman-2.1.5-30.fc3 | ||
10th, February, 2005
There is a critical security flaw in Mailman 2.1.5 which will allow attackers to read arbitrary files. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-mailman-215-30fc3-12-05-00-118243 |
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Fedora Core 2 Update: mailman-2.1.5-8.fc2 | ||
10th, February, 2005
There is a critical security flaw in Mailman 2.1.5 which will allow attackers to read arbitrary files. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-2-update-mailman-215-8fc2-12-06-00-118244 |
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Fedora Core 2 Update: mod_python-3.1.3-1.fc2.2 | ||
10th, February, 2005
Graham Dumpleton discovered a flaw affecting the publisher handler of mod_python, used to make objects inside modules callable via URL. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-2-update-modpython-313-1fc22-14-09-00-118252 |
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Fedora Core 3 Update: mod_python-3.1.3-5.2 | ||
10th, February, 2005
Graham Dumpleton discovered a flaw affecting the publisher handler of mod_python, used to make objects inside modules callable via URL. advisories/fedora/fedora-core-3-update-modpython-313-52-14-09-00-118253 |
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Gentoo | ||
Gentoo: pdftohtml Vulnerabilities in included Xpdf | ||
9th, February, 2005
pdftohtml includes vulnerable Xpdf code to handle PDF files, making it vulnerable to execution of arbitrary code upon converting a malicious PDF file. |
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Gentoo: LessTif Multiple vulnerabilities in libXpm | ||
6th, February, 2005
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in libXpm, which is included in LessTif, that can potentially lead to remote code execution. |
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Gentoo: PostgreSQL Local privilege escalation | ||
7th, February, 2005
The PostgreSQL server can be tricked by a local attacker to execute arbitrary code. |
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Gentoo: OpenMotif Multiple vulnerabilities in libXpm | ||
7th, February, 2005
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in libXpm, which is included in OpenMotif, that can potentially lead to remote code execution. |
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Gentoo: Python Arbitrary code execution through SimpleXMLRPCServer | ||
8th, February, 2005
Python-based XML-RPC servers may be vulnerable to remote execution of arbitrary code. |
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Gentoo: Python Arbitrary code execution through SimpleXMLRPCServer | ||
10th, February, 2005
Python-based XML-RPC servers may be vulnerable to remote execution of arbitrary code. |
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Gentoo: Mailman Directory traversal vulnerability | ||
10th, February, 2005
Mailman fails to properly sanitize input, leading to information disclosure. |
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Gentoo: Gallery Cross-site scripting vulnerability | ||
10th, February, 2005
The cross-site scripting vulnerability that Gallery 1.4.4-pl5 was intended to fix, did not actually resolve the issue. The Gallery Development Team have released version 1.4.4-pl6 to properly solve this problem. |
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Mandrake: Updated perl-DBI packages | ||
8th, February, 2005
Javier Fernandez-Sanguino Pena disovered the perl5 DBI library created a temporary PID file in an insecure manner, which could be exploited by a malicious user to overwrite arbitrary files owned by the user executing the parts of the library. The updated packages have been patched to prevent these problems. |
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Mandrake | ||
Mandrake: Updated perl packages fix | ||
8th, February, 2005
Updated perl package. |
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Red Hat | ||
RedHat: Updated Perl packages fix security issues | ||
7th, February, 2005
Updated Perl packages that fix several security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3. advisories/red-hat/redhat-updated-perl-packages-fix-security-issues-RHSA-2005-105-01 |
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RedHat: Updated mailman packages fix security | ||
10th, February, 2005
Updated mailman packages that correct a mailman security issue are now available. advisories/red-hat/redhat-updated-mailman-packages-fix-security-RHSA-2005-136-01 |
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RedHat: Updated kdelibs and kdebase packages correct | ||
10th, February, 2005
Updated kdelib and kdebase packages that resolve several security issues are now available. advisories/red-hat/redhat-updated-kdelibs-and-kdebase-packages-correct-RHSA-2005-009-01 |
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RedHat: Updated mod_python package fixes security issue | ||
10th, February, 2005
An Updated mod_python package that fixes a security issue in the publisher handler is now available. advisories/red-hat/redhat-updated-modpython-package-fixes-security-issue-RHSA-2005-104-01 |
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RedHat: Updated emacs packages fix security issue | ||
10th, February, 2005
Updated Emacs packages that fix a string format issue are now available. advisories/red-hat/redhat-updated-emacs-packages-fix-security-issue-RHSA-2005-112-01 |
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RedHat: Updated xemacs packages fix security issue | ||
10th, February, 2005
Updated XEmacs packages that fix a string format issue are now available. advisories/red-hat/redhat-updated-xemacs-packages-fix-security-issue-RHSA-2005-134-01 |
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RedHat: Updated Squirrelmail package fixes security | ||
10th, February, 2005
An updated Squirrelmail package that fixes several security issues is now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3. advisories/red-hat/redhat-updated-squirrelmail-package-fixes-security-RHSA-2005-135-01 |
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SuSE | ||
SuSE: kernel bugfixes and SP1 merge | ||
4th, February, 2005
Two weeks ago we released the Service Pack 1 for our SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 product. Due to the strict code freeze we were not able to merge all the security fixes from the last kernel update on Jan23rd (SUSE-SA:2005:003) into this kernel. |
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SuSE: squid (SUSE-SA:2005:006) | ||
10th, February, 2005
The last two squid updates from February the 1st and 10th fix several vulnerabilities. The impact of them range from remote denial-of-service over cache poisoning to possible remote command execution. |
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