GEN:SID 1:327
Message FINGER remote command pipe execution attempt
Summary This event is generated when a remote command execution exploit against a finger daemon is attempted.
Impact Serious. The attacker may be presented with the opportunity to run a command of his choice on the target UNIX system
Detailed Information This event is generated when a specific attack against a vulnerable version of the finger daemon is detected.

The Finger daemon is used to provide information about users on a UNIX system. It used to be installed and enabled by default on most UNIX/Linux systems. The attack may allow an attacker to execute a command remotely on a target system with the privileges of the user running the "finger" daemon. The user is usually defined in the /etc/inetd.conf file and is commonly designated as "nobody".
Affected Systems  
Attack Scenarios An attacker may try the attack and then executes a command to download a backdoor to the target system. He then connects to the system and may attempt to escalate his privileges by exploiting a local SUID application to gain "root" privileges.
Ease of Attack Simple, no exploit software is required, just a specially formatted finger query
Corrective Action Disable the finger daemon or limit the addresses that can access the service via firewall or TCP wrappers.
Additional References CVE:
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-1999-0152

Arachnids:
http://www.whitehats.com/info/IDS380

Bugtraq:
http://online.securityfocus.com/bid/2220
Rule References arachnids: 380
bugtraq: 2220
cve: 1999-0152