CVE-2003-0546 in up2date
Summary
by MITRE
up2date 3.0.7 and 3.1.23 does not properly verify RPM GPG signatures, which could allow remote attackers to cause unsigned packages to be installed from the Red Hat Network, if that network is compromised.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0546 affects the up2date package management utility version 3.0.7 and 3.1.23 used by Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the package verification process that undermines the integrity protection mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized software installation. The issue stems from insufficient GPG signature verification within the up2date utility, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise system security through package manipulation.
The technical flaw resides in the improper implementation of RPM GPG signature verification within the up2date client software. When systems attempt to update packages through the Red Hat Network, the utility should validate that each package bears a valid GPG signature from Red Hat before installation. However, due to the vulnerability in up2date 3.0.7 and 3.1.23, the system fails to properly verify these cryptographic signatures, allowing potentially malicious packages to be installed without proper authentication. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and trust verification that forms the foundation of secure software distribution mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple package installation risks, creating a significant attack surface for adversaries who compromise the Red Hat Network infrastructure. An attacker who gains control of the network or can inject malicious packages into the update stream could exploit this weakness to deploy unauthorized software, potentially including malware or backdoors, directly onto vulnerable systems. This compromise affects the entire update ecosystem, as the vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions that organizations rely upon when deploying automated patch management solutions. The risk is particularly severe because system administrators trust the up2date utility to maintain system integrity while performing updates, making this a critical failure in the security chain.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-311 and CWE-312 categories, representing failures in cryptographic implementation and the exposure of sensitive information through improper signature validation. The attack pattern follows typical supply chain compromise methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1195.001 technique for supplying malware through compromised software update channels. Organizations using affected up2date versions face the risk of complete system compromise, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The remediation requires immediate patching of the up2date utility to version 3.1.24 or later, which properly implements GPG signature verification, along with network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of maintaining secure update mechanisms in enterprise environments. The flaw demonstrates how a single implementation error in package management software can undermine the security posture of entire organizations, particularly in environments where automated updates are deployed. Organizations must maintain strict control over their update infrastructure and implement additional verification mechanisms beyond the default package manager behavior. The vulnerability also emphasizes the need for regular security audits of critical system components and the importance of keeping software updated to address known weaknesses. Proper implementation of this fix requires not only updating the up2date utility but also verifying that all systems have properly validated signatures before package installation, establishing a more robust defense-in-depth strategy for system security maintenance.