CVE-2000-0494 in Veritas Volume Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Veritas Volume Manager creates a world writable .server_pids file, which allows local users to add arbitrary commands into the file, which is then executed by the vmsa_server script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0494 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Veritas Volume Manager software, a widely deployed storage management solution in enterprise environments. This issue stems from improper file permissions that create a security weakness in the software's initialization and execution processes. The vulnerability specifically affects the vmsa_server script which is responsible for managing volume manager services and requires careful handling of system resources and access controls. When the system initializes or runs the volume manager services, it creates a .server_pids file with world-writable permissions, exposing a fundamental flaw in the software's security design and access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a classic race condition and permission misconfiguration scenario where the .server_pids file is created with overly permissive permissions during the service startup process. This file serves as a container for process identifiers and potentially command execution directives that are processed by the vmsa_server script. Local users who can write to this world-writable file can inject malicious commands or modify existing entries, effectively gaining the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the volume manager service. The flaw operates through a straightforward but dangerous mechanism where the system does not properly validate file ownership or implement adequate access controls before allowing write operations to critical system files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire storage environments and underlying system integrity. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute commands with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying storage configurations, or establishing persistent access points within the system. The vulnerability affects systems running Veritas Volume Manager versions prior to the security patch, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where storage management is critical for business operations. Organizations using this software face significant risk of unauthorized access to their storage infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or denial of service conditions that can impact business continuity.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses cases where critical system resources are assigned incorrect permissions, allowing unauthorized users to modify or access sensitive components. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how local users can exploit system weaknesses to gain elevated privileges. Security best practices dictate that all system files, particularly those involved in service execution and process management, should be protected with appropriate permissions to prevent unauthorized modifications. Organizations should implement strict file permission controls and regularly audit system configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in critical infrastructure components. The incident underscores the importance of proper access control implementation and the need for security reviews of system initialization processes to prevent attackers from exploiting seemingly minor permission flaws that can lead to significant system compromise.