COMMAND
/usr/sbin/lquerypv
SYSTEMS AFFECTED
AIX 4.1, 4.2
PROBLEM
The "lquerypv" command is an undocumented, low-level worker
program that is a part of the AIX Logical Volume Manager family
of commands. When installed, the "lquerypv" command is
set-user-id "root", which allows it to run with super-user access
permissions.
When invoked with the "-h" option, "lquerypv" does not adequately
enforce the read permissions on files when it is run by regular
(non-"root") users. This can allow users to obtain access to the
contents of files that they are not authorized to read.
/usr/sbin/lquerypv -h /etc/security/passwd
You can substitute /etc/security/passwd for any other unreadable
file. If the program is able to dump the file (maybe in hex) you
got a problem.
SOLUTION
You can remove set-user-id bit by doing
chmod u-s /usr/sbin/lquerypv
or you can get patch for via
http://service.software.ibm.com/aixsupport/
System Patch
-------------------
AIX 3.2.x Not vulnerable; no fix necessary.
AIX 4.1.x APAR - IX64203
AIX 4.2.x APAR - IX64204