CVE-2000-0348 in UnixWare
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Sendmail configuration file sendmail.cf as installed in SCO UnixWare 7.1.0 and earlier allows an attacker to gain root privileges.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0348 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Sendmail mail transfer agent configuration on SCO UnixWare systems. This issue stems from improper permissions and configuration settings within the sendmail.cf file that governs how the sendmail service operates. The vulnerability specifically affects SCO UnixWare versions 7.1.0 and earlier, where the default installation includes insecure configuration parameters that create exploitable conditions for malicious actors. The flaw allows unauthorized users to leverage the sendmail service to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively bypassing normal access controls and system security boundaries.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability operates through a combination of weak file permissions and insecure configuration directives within the sendmail.cf file. The sendmail service, when improperly configured, can be manipulated to execute commands with elevated privileges due to insufficient input validation and improper privilege separation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific mail messages or configuration changes that cause sendmail to execute malicious code under root context. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where a service running with elevated privileges fails to properly validate or sanitize inputs, allowing attackers to leverage the service as a vector for privilege elevation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system control and access to all resources available to the root user. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to modify system files, install backdoors, access sensitive data, and potentially compromise the entire system infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where UnixWare systems may host critical services and data repositories. Organizations running affected versions of SCO UnixWare face significant risk of unauthorized system compromise, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper service hardening and configuration management in Unix-based systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0348 should prioritize immediate system updates and configuration remediation. Organizations must upgrade to SCO UnixWare versions that address this vulnerability or apply the appropriate security patches provided by SCO. System administrators should review and correct the sendmail.cf configuration file permissions, ensuring that only authorized users can modify critical service configurations. The recommended approach includes implementing proper access controls, disabling unnecessary sendmail features, and conducting regular security audits of system configurations. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, privilege escalation through service misconfiguration, highlighting the need for comprehensive system hardening practices and proper privilege management across Unix-based environments.