CVE-2000-1031 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in dtterm in HP-UX 11.0 and HP Tru64 UNIX 4.0f through 5.1a allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long -tn option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-1031 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw within the dtterm terminal emulator component of Hewlett-Packard's Unix operating systems. This issue affects specific versions of HP-UX 11.0 and HP Tru64 UNIX 4.0f through 5.1a, where the dtterm application fails to properly validate input parameters when processing the -tn command-line option. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking in the argument parsing routine, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the predictable memory layout of the dtterm application to overwrite critical program control data such as return addresses or function pointers. When a local user provides an excessively long argument to the -tn option, the application's input handling routine fails to enforce length limitations, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. This buffer overflow condition specifically aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow vulnerabilities that occur when insufficient space is allocated for data or when bounds checking is inadequate. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations that can corrupt adjacent memory regions.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant security risk to systems running affected HP-UX versions, as local users who can execute the dtterm application can escalate their privileges to execute arbitrary code. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation could lead to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges, modify system files, or establish persistent access mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and T1059, which encompasses the execution of commands through legitimate system interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application from HP, which would address the buffer overflow through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including restricting local user access to terminal applications, monitoring for unusual command-line arguments, and ensuring proper privilege separation between user processes and system-critical applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices, emphasizing the need for regular security assessments and prompt patch management to prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other system components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, particularly in terminal and shell applications that handle user input directly.