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If through a vulnerability assessment, a network security issue is detected for the vulnerability below, applying the appropriate security patches in a timely matter is very important. If you have detected that your system has already been compromised, following CERT's Network Security recovery document will assist with recommended steps for system recovery.

Home >> Browse Vulnerability Assessment Database >> SMTP problems >> Sendmail Forward File Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Vulnerability Assessment Details

Sendmail Forward File Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Vulnerability Assessment Summary
Checks the version number

Detailed Explanation for this Vulnerability Assessment

The remote sendmail server, according to its version number,
may be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation vulnerability
when using forward files.

*** Sun did not increase the version number of their sendmail
*** when patching Solaris 7 and 8, so this might be a false
*** positive on these platforms.

A possible hacker may set up a special .forward file in his
home and send a mail to himself, which will trick sendmail
and will permit him to execute arbitrary commands with
root rights.

Network Security Threat Level: High

Networks Security ID: 7033

Vulnerability Assessment Copyright: This script is Copyright (C) 2003 Renaud Deraison

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