rsync.gentoo.org rotation server compromised

[spunz 0]

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GENTOO LINUX SECURITY ANNOUNCEMENT 200312-01

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Summary : rsync.gentoo.org rotation server compromised

Date : 2003-12-02

Exploit : remote

CVE : - None -

Priority : Normal

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SUMMARY:

========

 

On December 2nd at approximately 03:45 UTC, one of the servers that makes up

the rsync.gentoo.org rotation was compromised via a remote exploit. At this

point, we are still performing forensic analysis. However, the compromised

system had both an IDS and a file integrity checker installed and we have a

very detailed forensic trail of what happened once the box was breached, so we

are reasonably confident that the portage tree stored on that box was

unaffected. The attacker appears to have installed a rootkit and

modified/deleted some files to cover their tracks, but left the server

otherwise untouched.

 

The box was in a compromised state for approximately one hour before it was

discovered and shut down. During this time, approximately 20 users

synchronized against the portage mirror stored on this box. The method used

to gain access to the box remotely is still under investigation. We will

release more details once we have ascertained the cause of the remote exploit.

 

This box is not an official Gentoo infrastructure box and is instead donated

by a sponsor. The box provides other services not related to Gentoo Linux as

well and the sponsor has requested that we not publicly identify the box at

this time. Because the Gentoo part of this box appears to be unaffected by

this exploit, we are currently honoring the sponsor's request. That said, if

at any point, we determine that any file in the portage tree was

inappropriately modified, we will release full details about the compromised

server.

 

SOLUTION

========

Again, based on the forensic analysis done so far, we are reasonably confident

that no files within the Portage tree on the box were affected. However, the

server has been removed from all rsync.*.gentoo.org rotations and will remain

so until the forensic analysis has been completed and the box has been wiped

and rebuilt. Thus, users preferring an extra level of security may ensure

that they have a correct and accurate portage tree by running:

 

emerge sync

 

Which will perform a sync against another server, thus ensuring that all files

are up to date.