Open-source group plugs three holes

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-5085327.html

By Robert Lemos 
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
October 1, 2003

An open-source group that maintains software for securing
communications released a patch on Tuesday to fix several
vulnerabilities that were found during a security test by the U.K.  
government.

The security flaws exist in the OpenSSL Project's version of the
secure sockets layer (SSL) software used by Web sites and browsers to
cryptographically secure data. Two of the flaws could lead to a
denial-of-service attack, and a third may allow an attacker to break
into a system from the Internet.

The flaws were found when the U.K. government put the software through
rigorous testing, said Mark Cox, a developer on the OpenSSL security
team.

"We certainly know of no exploits yet," he said. "These were found by
the good guys."

Not to be confused with the OpenSSH project--SSH stands for secure
shell--which has patched its software twice in the last month, the
OpenSSL Project develops and maintains an open-source version of SSL
software. A year ago, the Slapper worm infected Linux computers that
hadn't been patched to fix a different hole in the same software.

Cox said that a specially crafted digital certificate could crash the
OpenSSL software through either of two flaws, causing a
denial-of-service attack. The third flaw could result in a security
hole that could allow online vandals to attack a server or enable a
worm to spread. All versions of OpenSSL, up to and including 0.9.6j
and 0.9.7b, are affected, according to an advisory issued by the
group.

So far, most Linux distributors, including Red Hat and SuSE, have
released patches for the flaws. Cisco Systems also has released
patches. The networking gear maker uses the software in a number of
its products.



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