CVE-2000-1074 in iPlanet iCal
Summary
by MITRE
csstart program in iCal 2.1 Patch 2 uses relative pathnames to install the libsocket and libnsl libraries, which could allow the icsuser account to gain root privileges by creating a Trojan Horse library in the current or parent directory.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1074 resides within the iCal 2.1 Patch 2 software suite, specifically affecting the csstart program responsible for library installation processes. This flaw represents a classic path traversal and privilege escalation vulnerability that exploits insecure library loading mechanisms. The csstart program utilizes relative pathnames when installing critical system libraries including libsocket and libnsl, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate the library loading sequence to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the program's failure to validate or resolve absolute paths when loading shared libraries. When the csstart program executes, it searches for required libraries using relative path references rather than absolute paths, allowing an attacker with access to the icsuser account to place malicious versions of these libraries in strategic locations. The vulnerability specifically targets the installation process where the program does not properly verify the integrity or source of libraries being loaded, creating a window of opportunity for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows a low-privilege user account to escalate privileges to the root level of the system. This represents a critical security flaw in the Unix-based system architecture where the icsuser account, typically a restricted user account, can leverage the library loading mechanism to gain full administrative control. The attack vector requires the attacker to have write access to directories where the csstart program executes or to manipulate the current working directory during program execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts have limited but writable access to system directories.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes insecure file permissions and improper library loading practices, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of elevated privileges through local system manipulation. The flaw essentially creates a race condition where an attacker can substitute legitimate system libraries with malicious counterparts, bypassing normal security controls and privilege boundaries. Organizations running affected iCal versions face potential system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access through this privilege escalation vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the iCal software to address the library loading implementation and ensure all library paths are properly resolved using absolute references. System administrators should also implement strict file permission controls on directories where csstart and related programs execute, ensuring that user accounts cannot write to critical system directories. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unauthorized library modifications, implementing file integrity checking mechanisms, and conducting regular security audits of system installation processes. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms in preventing privilege escalation attacks that can compromise entire system infrastructures.