CVE-2000-0966 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflows in lpspooler in the fileset PrinterMgmt.LP-SPOOL of HP-UX 11.0 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0966 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the lpspooler component of HP-UX operating systems version 11.0 and earlier. This issue resides within the PrinterMgmt.LP-SPOOL fileset, which manages printing services and spooling operations on HP-UX systems. The buffer overflow vulnerability specifically affects the lpspooler daemon responsible for handling print job spooling and queue management, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to escalate privileges on affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests when the lpspooler service processes certain input parameters without proper bounds checking, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the program's stack or heap. This buffer overflow condition occurs during the processing of print job data or configuration parameters, where insufficient validation permits input data to exceed the allocated buffer space. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow under CWE-121, where the attacker can manipulate the program flow by overwriting return addresses or control data structures. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it exists within a privileged system component that typically runs with elevated permissions, making successful exploitation directly translate to privilege escalation capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent security weakness that can be leveraged by attackers who gain initial access to the system through other means. Local users who can execute code on the target system can exploit this vulnerability to elevate their privileges to root level, effectively compromising the entire system. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers who may have already established a foothold through other attack vectors such as network-based exploits or social engineering. The vulnerability affects systems running HP-UX 11.0 and earlier versions, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments during the late 1990s and early 2000s, creating a substantial attack surface. The impact is amplified by the fact that printing services are often enabled by default and may be accessible to various user accounts, providing multiple potential attack paths.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system patching and updates from HP to address the buffer overflow in the lpspooler component. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues across their HP-UX environments. System administrators should disable unnecessary printing services and implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of local services and daemon exploitation. Additional security measures include monitoring print job spooling activities for anomalous behavior, implementing network segmentation to limit access to printing services, and conducting regular security audits of system components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking in system services, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and other cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting known buffer overflow vulnerabilities in system services.