IBM SECURITY ADVISORY

First Issued: Thu Jun 13 15:37:38 CDT 2024

The most recent version of this document is available here:

https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/python_advisory9.asc

Security Bulletin: AIX is affected by information disclosure due to Python
    (CVE-2024-28757)

===============================================================================

SUMMARY:

    Vulnerability in Python could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive
    information (CVE-2024-28757). Python is used by AIX as part of Ansible
    node management automation.


===============================================================================

VULNERABILITY DETAILS:

    CVEID: CVE-2024-28757
        https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-28757
    DESCRIPTION: libexpat could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive
        information, caused by improper handling of XML external entity (XXE)
        declarations by the XML_ExternalEntityParserCreate function. By using
        a specially crafted XML content, a remote attacker could exploit this
        vulnerability to obtain sensitive information, and use this
        information to launch further attacks against the affected system.
    CVSS Base Score: 7.5
    CVSS Temporal Score: See
        https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/285604
        for the current score
    CVSS Environmental Score*: Undefined
    CVSS Vector:(CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N)


    AFFECTED PRODUCTS AND VERSIONS:
 
        AIX 7.3
        VIOS 4.1

        The following fileset levels are vulnerable:
        
        key_fileset = osrcaix

        Fileset          Lower Level   Upper Level    KEY
        ------------------------------------------------------
        python3.9.base   3.9.0.0       3.9.18.2       key_w_fs

        Note:
        A. Latest level of Python fileset is available from the web download site:
        https://www.ibm.com/resources/mrs/assets?source=aixbp
 
        To find out whether the affected filesets are installed on your systems,
        refer to the lslpp command found in the AIX user's guide.

        Example:  lslpp -L | grep -i python3.9.base

    REMEDIATION:

        FIXES

            IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now.

            A fix is available, and it can be downloaded from:

            https://www.ibm.com/resources/mrs/assets?source=aixbp

            To extract the fixes from the tar file:

            zcat python-3.9.18.3.tar.Z | tar xvf -

            IMPORTANT: If possible, it is recommended that a mksysb backup
            of the system be created.  Verify it is both bootable and
            readable before proceeding.

            Note that all the previously reported security vulnerability fixes
            are also included in above mentioned fileset level.

            To preview the fix installation:

            installp -apYd . python3.9.base

            To install the fix package:

            installp -aXYd . python3.9.base
                        
            openssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [advisory_file].sig [advisory_file]

            openssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [ifix_file].sig [ifix_file]

            Published advisory OpenSSL signature file location:
 
            https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/python_advisory9.asc.sig



    WORKAROUNDS AND MITIGATIONS:

        None.


===============================================================================

CONTACT US:

    Note: Keywords labeled as KEY in this document are used for parsing
    purposes.

    If you would like to receive AIX Security Advisories via email,
    please visit "My Notifications":

        http://www.ibm.com/support/mynotifications

    Contact IBM Support for questions related to this announcement:

        https://ibm.com/support/

    For information on how to securely verify AIX security bulletins and fixes:

        https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6985269

    To obtain the OpenSSL public key that can be used to verify the
    signed advisories and ifixes:

        Download the key from our web page:

    https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/systems_p_os_aix_security_pubkey.txt

    To verify the AIX/VIOS security bulletin:

        Published advisory OpenSSL signature file location:

        https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/python_advisory9.asc.sig

        openssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [advisory_file].sig [advisory_file]

    Please contact your local IBM AIX support center for any
    assistance.


REFERENCES:

    Complete CVSS v3 Guide:
        https://www.first.org/cvss/user-guide
    On-line Calculator v3:
        https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0


RELATED INFORMATION:

    Security Bulletin: AIX is affected by information disclosure due to Python
    (CVE-2024-28757)
        https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7157444


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

    None.


CHANGE HISTORY:

    First Issued: Thu Jun 13 15:37:38 CDT 2024


===============================================================================

*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will
ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact
of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the
Reference section of this Security Bulletin.

Disclaimer
According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard
designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and
priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY
OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT
OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY.