CVE-1999-0044 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
fsdump command in irix allows local users to obtain root access by modifying sensitive files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-0044 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the irix operating system's filesystem dump utility. This issue affects the fsdump command which is responsible for creating filesystem backups and snapshots. The vulnerability stems from improper file permission handling and inadequate access controls within the dump utility implementation. Local users can exploit this weakness by manipulating sensitive system files that the fsdump command interacts with during its operation, ultimately allowing them to escalate their privileges to root level access.
The technical flaw manifests through the fsdump command's insufficient validation of file permissions and access controls when processing system files. When the command executes, it operates with elevated privileges due to its system-level functionality but fails to properly verify or restrict access to sensitive files during the backup process. This creates an opportunity for local attackers to modify critical system files such as password databases, configuration files, or binary executables before or during the dump operation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276 which addresses improper file permissions and access control mechanisms, specifically targeting the principle of least privilege violation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides local users with a straightforward path to root compromise without requiring external network access or complex exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by first identifying sensitive files that the fsdump command accesses, then modifying these files to inject malicious code or alter system configurations. Once the modification is complete, the fsdump command execution triggers the malicious code with root privileges, effectively granting the attacker complete system control. This represents a classic privilege escalation attack pattern that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper file access controls and privilege separation mechanisms within the filesystem dump utility. System administrators should ensure that the fsdump command operates with minimal required privileges and that sensitive files are properly protected against unauthorized modification. The recommended approach includes establishing strict file permission controls, implementing proper access logging for dump operations, and regularly auditing system files that the utility processes. Additionally, applying system patches and updates from the vendor would address the underlying implementation flaw, while implementing process monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files would provide additional defensive layers against exploitation attempts.