CVE-1999-1040 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerabilities in (1) ipxchk and (2) ipxlink in NetWare Client 1.0 on IRIX 6.3 and 6.4 allows local users to gain root access via a modified IFS environmental variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1040 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting NetWare Client 1.0 installations on IRIX 6.3 and 6.4 operating systems. This issue stems from improper handling of environmental variables within the ipxchk and ipxlink utilities, which are components of Novell's NetWare client implementation for IRIX platforms. The vulnerability specifically targets the IFS (International File System) environmental variable, which plays a crucial role in determining file system access paths and permissions within the NetWare client environment.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on local users manipulating the IFS environmental variable to redirect system calls and gain unauthorized root privileges. When the ipxchk and ipxlink utilities process user input through this environmental variable, they fail to properly validate or sanitize the input, creating a path traversal vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and privilege separation in system utilities that handle network file system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides local attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once a local user successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain root access to the entire system, enabling them to modify critical system files, install malicious software, establish persistent backdoors, and access all user data and system resources. This represents a significant security risk in multi-user environments where local access might be obtained through legitimate means such as user accounts or shared system access. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the IRIX operating system by allowing privilege escalation without requiring network access or sophisticated attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. System administrators should immediately apply available security patches from Novell and IRIX vendors to address the flawed ipxchk and ipxlink utilities. Additionally, implementing strict environmental variable controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized modifications to critical system variables. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting local user access to system utilities and ensuring proper file permissions are maintained. Organizations should also implement regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify similar flaws in other system components. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in system utilities, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of system utilities and environment variables. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of all system components, particularly those handling network file system operations and environmental variable processing.