CVE-2000-0755 in OpenView Network Node Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the newgrp command in HP-UX 11.00 allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2014
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0755 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the newgrp command implementation on HP-UX 11.00 systems. This issue stems from improper handling of group membership changes during the execution of the newgrp utility, which is designed to allow users to switch to different groups. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes group membership modifications, creating an opportunity for local attackers to exploit a weakness in the command's privilege management mechanisms. The vulnerability affects systems running HP-UX 11.00, a Unix-based operating system developed by Hewlett-Packard that was widely used in enterprise environments during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of group membership parameters within the newgrp command execution flow. When a user invokes newgrp to switch to a different group, the system's privilege management subsystem fails to properly validate or enforce access controls, potentially allowing a local attacker to escalate their privileges to root level. The underlying flaw typically involves insufficient input validation or improper privilege checks during the group switching process, enabling malicious users to bypass normal security boundaries. This weakness is classified as a privilege escalation vulnerability and aligns with CWE-269 which addresses improper privileges and CWE-276 which covers incorrect permissions for critical resources. The vulnerability operates at the system call level where group membership changes are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring network access or external attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0755 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire system security postures. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain root access to affected systems, enabling them to modify system files, install malicious software, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where HP-UX 11.00 systems may host critical business applications and sensitive data repositories. The attack surface is limited to local access but the consequences are severe, as it allows attackers who already have user-level access to elevate their privileges without requiring additional authentication or complex attack chains. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and T1548 which addresses abuse of group privileges. The impact is particularly severe in multi-user environments where users may have legitimate access to the system but should not possess root-level capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0755 should focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. HP released specific patches for HP-UX 11.00 that address the privilege escalation flaw in the newgrp command implementation. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected systems and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual newgrp command usage patterns, restricting unnecessary group membership assignments, and implementing proper access control lists. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege management in Unix-like systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security auditing of system utilities. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege practices and regular security assessments can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities related to group membership changes and privilege escalation attempts.