Critical Information Leak Vulnerability in Samba Package
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2017-12163: An information leak flaw was found in the way SMB1 protocol was implemented by Samba before 4.4.16, 4.5.x before 4.5.14, and 4.6.x before 4.6.8. Affects samba versions < 4.7.0-r0. Fixed in 4.7.0-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
Samba is an open-source software suite that provides seamless file and print services to SMB/CIFS clients. It enables interoperability between Linux/Unix servers and Windows-based clients, allowing users to share files and printers across different operating systems. The Samba package is widely used in various environments, making its security paramount. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of Samba prior to 4.4.16, 4.5.x before 4.5.14, and 4.6.x before 4.6.8, exposing sensitive data to potential attackers.
Vulnerability Detail
An information leak flaw was discovered in the SMB1 protocol implementation in Samba. This vulnerability allows a malicious client to exploit the flaw to dump server memory contents to a file on the Samba share or to a shared printer. Although the attacker cannot control the exact area of server memory that is leaked, the potential for sensitive information exposure poses significant security risks.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
4.7.0-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade sambaTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, disabling the SMB1 protocol can mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. This can be done by modifying the Samba configuration file (smb.conf) and setting 'server min protocol = SMB2'.
Conclusion
The Samba package has a critical vulnerability that can lead to information leaks, affecting the security of systems using it. It is crucial to update to the latest patched versions to mitigate risks. Users should also consider disabling the SMB1 protocol as a temporary workaround. Regular monitoring with tools like Vulert can help in identifying and addressing such vulnerabilities promptly.
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FAQ
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.1, indicating a high severity level.
Samba versions prior to 4.4.16, 4.5.x before 4.5.14, and 4.6.x before 4.6.8 are affected by this vulnerability.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. Check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner without any signup.
The vulnerability allows attackers to access sensitive server memory contents, which could lead to data breaches and unauthorized access to confidential information.
Yes, the permanent fix is to update the Samba package to the specified patched versions. Regular updates and monitoring are essential for maintaining security.
References
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