CVE-2001-0073 in SELinux
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the find_default_type function in libsecure in NSA Security-enhanced Linux, which may allow attackers to modify critical data in memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2014
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0073 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the libsecure library component of NSA Security-enhanced Linux systems. This issue resides specifically within the find_default_type function, which serves as a crucial element in the security framework of the operating system. The buffer overflow vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly constrain data inputs when processing security-related configurations. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit memory corruption opportunities that can lead to unauthorized modification of critical system data structures and security parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the libsecure library where the find_default_type function fails to validate the length of input data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow scenario occurs when user-supplied data exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with carefully crafted malicious input. The vulnerability manifests through the manipulation of security policy configurations and default type assignments that govern access control mechanisms within the Security-enhanced Linux environment. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that compromise system integrity and security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0073 extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can allow adversaries to modify critical security parameters that govern mandatory access controls, potentially bypassing security policies that protect against unauthorized data access and system modifications. This vulnerability directly undermines the fundamental security model of Security-enhanced Linux by compromising the integrity of the security policy enforcement mechanisms. Attackers could leverage this flaw to manipulate default security types assigned to files and processes, potentially creating backdoor access paths or disabling security controls entirely.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries use software vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges within the system. Security-enhanced Linux environments that rely on libsecure for configuration management become particularly susceptible to attacks targeting this specific buffer overflow condition. The impact on system security is compounded by the fact that libsecure components typically operate with elevated privileges and have direct access to critical system resources. Organizations implementing NSA Security-enhanced Linux solutions should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat requiring immediate remediation to maintain the integrity of their security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0073 should focus on immediate code-level fixes including bounds checking implementation, input validation enforcement, and memory boundary verification within the find_default_type function. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of security policy changes and memory access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes applying security patches that address the specific buffer overflow conditions, implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, and utilizing address space layout randomization to complicate exploitation efforts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security audits of their Security-enhanced Linux configurations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities within other system components that may share similar architectural patterns with the affected libsecure library.