CVE-2000-1222 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
AIX sysback before 4.2.1.13 uses a relative path to find and execute the hostname program, which allows local users to gain privileges by modifying the path to point to a malicious hostname program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-1222 represents a classic privilege escalation flaw affecting IBM AIX systems running sysback versions prior to 4.2.1.13. This issue stems from the improper handling of system paths during program execution, specifically within the sysback utility which is used for backup and recovery operations on AIX systems. The vulnerability creates a dangerous condition where local users can manipulate the execution environment to gain elevated privileges through a carefully crafted path modification attack.
The technical flaw manifests in how sysback resolves the hostname program execution path. When sysback needs to execute the hostname command, it uses a relative path rather than an absolute path to locate the executable. This design decision creates a race condition and path traversal vulnerability that local attackers can exploit by manipulating the system PATH environment variable. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-428 which specifically addresses "Security Features" and more broadly relates to CWE-78 which covers "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command." Attackers can place a malicious hostname program in a directory that appears earlier in the PATH, causing sysback to execute their malicious code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations running affected AIX systems. Since the attack requires local system access, it can be exploited by users with legitimate system access who wish to escalate their privileges to root level. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where unauthorized privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector is relatively simple to execute, requiring only that an attacker modify their PATH environment variable to include a directory containing a malicious hostname program. This allows the attacker to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges.
The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental security principle violation where program execution relies on environment variables without proper validation or absolute path resolution. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to sysback version 4.2.1.13 or later, which addresses the relative path issue by using absolute paths for program execution. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as restricting PATH modifications for critical system utilities and monitoring for unauthorized PATH changes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068 "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1548.001 "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism" as it enables local users to escalate their privileges through improper program execution handling. The vulnerability also aligns with T1059 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as it allows execution of malicious code through command line interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security audits to detect and prevent similar path manipulation vulnerabilities in other system components.