CVE-1999-0164 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
a race condition in the solaris ps command allows an attacker to overwrite critical files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0164 represents a critical race condition within the solaris ps command that enables malicious actors to exploit temporal dependencies in file operations. This flaw specifically targets the way the ps command handles temporary files during process enumeration, creating a window where an attacker can manipulate the system's file structure to overwrite critical system files. The race condition occurs when the ps command creates temporary files in predictable locations while simultaneously checking for process information, allowing an unauthorized user to substitute malicious content for legitimate system files.
This vulnerability operates under the broader category of race condition flaws that are classified under CWE-362, which specifically addresses concurrent execution using shared resources. The ps command's implementation fails to properly secure temporary file creation processes, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it leverages the inherent timing differences between file creation and access operations, enabling attackers to exploit the window of vulnerability during which the system is in an inconsistent state. This type of vulnerability is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' through race conditions and temporal dependencies in system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system components that could enable further compromise of the solaris environment. When exploited successfully, the race condition allows an attacker to replace system binaries or configuration files with malicious alternatives, potentially leading to complete system control. The vulnerability affects systems where the ps command is executed with elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where process monitoring is essential. Attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate privileges from standard user accounts to root access, depending on the specific implementation and system configuration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-1999-0164 should focus on eliminating the race condition through proper temporary file handling mechanisms. System administrators should ensure that all temporary files are created with appropriate permissions and in secure locations that cannot be easily manipulated by unauthorized users. The implementation of atomic file operations and proper synchronization mechanisms can prevent the window of vulnerability that enables this attack vector. Additionally, regular system updates and patches from sun Microsystems should be applied immediately to address known race condition vulnerabilities in the ps command implementation. Security monitoring should also include detection of unusual ps command behavior and temporary file creation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing privilege separation techniques to minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities and ensure that commands like ps do not operate with unnecessary elevated privileges during execution.