Security update for fetchmail

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 02OCT2002)

solutions Security update for fetchmail SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (3f751eee9362bfeef773f4466fb3c8e5)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Admin-CD for Firewall
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IBM zSeries
SuSE eMail Server III
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for PowerPC
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IA32
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IA64
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for S/390 and zSeries
SuSE eMail Server 3.1
SuSE Linux Office Server
SuSE Firewall Adminhost VPN
SuSE Linux Connectivity Server

Package: fetchmail
Release: 20021002
Obsoletes: none

Indications

Everyone using fetchmail should install this patch.

Contraindications

The SuSE Linux eMail Server version III and 3.1 uses a different POP and IMAP retrieval program (fetchd) and does not use fetchmail in default installation.

Problem description

Fetchmail is a utility to retrieve email from a POP or IMAP account and deliver it locally.
Stefan Esser of e-matters discovered several security issues in fetchmail, including

buffer overflows when handling mail addresses. It is unclear whether these overflows are exploitable or not.
a buffer overflow when handling DNS information when operating in multidrop mode. Most likely exploitable.
a buffer overflow when handling Received: header lines, also in multidrop mode. Most likely exploitable.

The first bug applies to all modes of operation, while the latter two apply only to multidrop mode (where several users share one IMAP/POP mailbox, and use fetchmail to sort out recipients before local delivery).
The third bug is probably the most dangerous one, because it can be exploited simply by sending an email message to the victim.
For more details, please refer to the original advisory at http://security.e-matters.de/advisories/032002.html

Solution

Please install the updates provided at the location noted below.

Installation notes

This update is provided as an RPM package that can easily be installed onto a running system by using this command:
rpm -Fvh fetchmail.rpm

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.

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