CVE-2001-0085 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Kermit communications software in HP-UX 11.0 and earlier allows local users to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0085 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Kermit communications software package that was prevalent in HP-UX operating systems version 11.0 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Kermit application's handling of user-supplied data, specifically when processing certain command line arguments or configuration parameters. The buffer overflow occurs when the software attempts to store data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, creating a condition where adjacent memory locations become overwritten or corrupted. This fundamental flaw exists in the software's design and implementation, making it susceptible to exploitation by local users who possess system access privileges.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. When a local user crafts malicious input that exceeds the buffer's allocated size, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the targeted process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of Kermit, which serves as a communication protocol implementation for file transfers and terminal emulation, making it a critical component in system administration and network operations. The attack vector is local, meaning that the attacker must already have access to the system, but the potential impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests in multiple ways, beginning with potential denial of service conditions that can render the Kermit communications software unavailable for legitimate users. However, the more severe implications include the possibility of arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to escalate privileges, install backdoors, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects systems running HP-UX 11.0 and earlier versions, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments for mission-critical applications and network infrastructure. Given that Kermit was commonly used for system administration tasks and remote access operations, exploitation of this vulnerability could provide attackers with significant control over affected systems. The local nature of the attack reduces the complexity of exploitation but does not diminish its potential impact on system security and availability.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve applying vendor-provided patches and updates to the Kermit software package, which would address the buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and memory management. System administrators should also implement principle of least privilege access controls to limit local user access to critical system components, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other system components, particularly in legacy software that may be running on older operating system versions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date system software and implementing robust access controls to prevent local privilege escalation attacks.