Subject:  UnixWare 7.1.0: Unnecessary privileges are given to some packaging commands
Advisory number:  n/a
Issue date:  n/a
ftp://stage.caldera.com/pub/security/sse/ptf7408b

Dear SCO Customer,
The enclosed Support Level Supplement (SLS) PTF7408B, the UnixWare 7.1.0
Security Fix, addresses the following problems:

1. Unnecessary privileges are given to some packaging commands that allow
   users to compromise system security by adding or removing privileged
   files.  

2. Users can use packaging tools to read restricted system files.

3. Users can create arbitrary root-owned directories.

4. There is the potential of buffer overflow attack.

5. Booting is slow on systems where disks and other devices share the 
   same controller.


SLS PTF7408B contains these files:

    /usr/lib/libadm.a
    /etc/scsi/pdimkdev
    /sbin/putdev
    /usr/bin/ddbconv
    /usr/bin/devattr
    /usr/bin/getdev
    /usr/bin/pkginfo
    /usr/bin/pkgparam
    /usr/bin/pkgtrans
    /usr/bin/getdgrp
    /usr/bin/getvol
    /usr/sbin/pkgadd
    /usr/sbin/pkgrm
    /usr/sbin/pkgchk
    /usr/sbin/installf
    /usr/sbin/pkgcat
    /usr/sbin/pkginstall
    /usr/sbin/prtconf
    /usr/sadm/install/bin/pkgaudit
    /usr/sadm/install/bin/pkginstall
    /usr/sadm/install/bin/pkgname
    /usr/sadm/install/bin/pkgremove


Software Notes and Recommendations
----------------------------------

SLS PTF7408B should only be installed on:

    UnixWare 7.1.0



Installation Instructions
-------------------------

1. Download the ptf7408b.Z file to the /tmp directory on your machine.

2. As root, uncompress the file and add the package to your system
   using these commands:

        $ su
        Password: <type your root password>
        # uncompress /tmp/ptf7408b.Z
        # pkgadd -d /tmp/ptf7408b
        # rm /tmp/ptf7408b

3. There is no need to reboot the system after installing this package.

The release notes displayed prior to installation can be found in:

        /var/sadm/pkg/ptf7408/install/ptf7408.txt


Removal Instructions
--------------------

Removing this PTF leaves your system exposed to a serious security
problem that allows any of your users to make arbitrary changes to 
the packages that are installed on your system.

SCO strongly recommends that this SLS is only removed if you
subsequently intend to remove Update 7.1.0 from your system.

1. As root, remove the package using these commands:

        $ su
        Password: <type your root password>
        # pkgrm ptf7408

2. There is no need to reboot the system after removing this SLS.


If you have questions regarding this supplement, or the product on
which it is installed, please contact your software supplier.