CVE-1999-1117 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
lquerypv in AIX 4.1 and 4.2 allows local users to read arbitrary files by specifying the file in the -h command line parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-1117 affects the lquerypv utility in AIX operating systems version 4.1 and 4.2, representing a classic path traversal flaw that enables local privilege escalation through arbitrary file read operations. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the command line parameter handling mechanism of the lquerypv utility, which processes the -h parameter without proper sanitization or access control checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper parameter validation in the lquerypv utility's command line interface. When a local user provides a file path through the -h parameter, the utility fails to validate or restrict access to arbitrary file locations within the filesystem. This flaw allows attackers to bypass normal file access controls and read contents of files that should normally be restricted or protected. The vulnerability specifically affects the lquerypv utility which is part of the AIX operating system's volume management tools, making it particularly concerning for system administrators who rely on these utilities for disk and volume management operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant security risk for AIX systems running versions 4.1 and 4.2, as local users can potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially confidential information stored in restricted directories. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only local system access, eliminating the need for network-based exploitation or external attack surfaces. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where multiple users share the same system or where privileged accounts are compromised.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, representing a direct implementation of improper input validation that allows attackers to manipulate file access parameters. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as it enables local users to extract information from system files that may contain credentials, configuration details, or other sensitive data. The weakness creates an information disclosure scenario where attackers can access files outside the intended scope of the utility's operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected AIX systems with the appropriate security updates from IBM, implementing proper input validation for command line parameters within the lquerypv utility, and restricting local access to privileged system utilities. System administrators should also implement proper file access controls and audit logging to monitor for unauthorized file access attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting user access to system management utilities and implementing proper file permissions that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system files. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other system utilities and prevent similar path traversal vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.