CVE-1999-0674 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
The BSD profil system call allows a local user to modify the internal data space of a program via profiling and execve.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-0674 resides within the BSD profiling system call mechanism, representing a significant local privilege escalation flaw that has persisted since the late 1990s. This issue specifically affects systems implementing the BSD operating system family and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in how profiling data is managed and protected during program execution. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level where profiling mechanisms are designed to collect execution statistics for performance analysis, yet these mechanisms fail to properly validate or restrict access to internal program memory spaces. The flaw allows a local attacker to manipulate profiling data structures in such a way that they can modify the internal data space of running programs, effectively bypassing normal memory protection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control within the profiling subsystem that interfaces with the execve system call. When a program executes and profiling is enabled, the system maintains internal data structures that track execution paths, function calls, and performance metrics. The flaw occurs because the profiling system does not adequately verify that profiling data modifications originate from legitimate sources or are restricted to appropriate memory regions. This allows an attacker to craft specific profiling data that, when processed by the system, can cause the execve call to modify memory locations that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability operates under CWE-264, which categorizes improper privileges and access control as a core weakness in software security. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate system calls that are typically expected to be safe, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to manipulate running processes at a fundamental level. Once exploited, an attacker can modify program behavior, inject malicious code into memory, or corrupt program data structures, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects any application that utilizes profiling features, which historically includes many system utilities, development tools, and performance monitoring applications. The implications are particularly severe in multi-user environments where local users can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges or compromise other users' processes. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1548.001, covering abuse of elevation tools. The attack requires local system access but provides significant leverage for further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate system hardening and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling profiling features when they are not actively required, particularly in production environments where security is paramount. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitoring of profiling-related system calls, using tools such as auditd or similar logging mechanisms to detect suspicious activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control in kernel space operations, making it a prime example of why kernel-level security must be treated with extreme caution. Long-term solutions should focus on redesigning profiling mechanisms to eliminate the possibility of memory space manipulation through profiling data, potentially through the use of memory protection mechanisms or more restrictive access controls. Additionally, regular system updates and patches should be applied to ensure that known vulnerabilities in kernel profiling systems are addressed. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder that even seemingly benign system features can provide attack vectors when not properly secured, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security reviews of all system components including kernel subsystems.