CVE-2000-0083 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
HP asecure creates the Audio Security File audio.sec with insecure permissions, which allows local users to cause a denial of service or gain additional privileges.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0083 resides within HP asecure software, a security tool designed to protect audio communications. This flaw manifests through the improper creation of the Audio Security File named audio.sec, which is generated with insufficiently restrictive file permissions. The insecure permission model allows local users to manipulate this critical file, potentially leading to system compromise or service disruption. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where HP asecure is installed and actively running, creating a persistent risk for any local user who can access the file system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which describes improper file permissions that allow unauthorized access to security-critical files. The flaw occurs during the file creation process where the software fails to properly set file access controls, leaving the audio.sec file accessible to all local users. This represents a classic privilege escalation vector where a user with minimal system access can potentially gain elevated privileges or disrupt system operations. The insecure permissions typically manifest as world-readable or world-writable attributes on the security file, which should normally be restricted to administrative access only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise. Local users who can access the audio.sec file may exploit its insecure permissions to modify security parameters, inject malicious code, or corrupt the audio security configuration. This could result in unauthorized access to protected audio communications or complete system compromise depending on the underlying security architecture. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where HP asecure is deployed in multi-user scenarios, as it creates a persistent attack surface that remains active as long as the software is operational.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0083 should focus on immediate permission correction and long-term system hardening. System administrators must manually correct the file permissions on the audio.sec file to ensure it is only accessible to authorized administrative users. This typically involves setting restrictive permissions such as 600 or 640, ensuring only the owner or specific administrative groups can access the file. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through insecure file permissions, making it a target for both automated exploitation tools and manual attack vectors. Regular system audits should verify that security files maintain appropriate access controls, and the software should be updated to versions that properly implement secure file creation practices to prevent similar issues in future deployments.