CVE-2001-0165 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ximp40 shared library in Solaris 7 and Solaris 8 allows local users to gain privileges via a long "arg0" (process name) argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0165 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ximp40 shared library component of Solaris 7 and Solaris 8 operating systems. This issue resides in the handling of command line arguments, specifically the "arg0" parameter which corresponds to the process name. The vulnerability manifests when local users exploit improper input validation mechanisms within the shared library, creating conditions where maliciously crafted input can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of Buffer Overflow, specifically representing a stack-based buffer overflow that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent trust placed in process name arguments within the Solaris system call handling mechanisms. When applications invoke the ximp40 shared library functions, the system fails to properly validate the length of the arg0 argument before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This allows attackers to supply excessively long input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite return addresses and control execution flow. The attack vector specifically targets local users who have access to the system, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a remote attack vector. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and highlights the importance of proper bounds checking in system libraries that handle user-supplied data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides local attackers with the ability to escalate their privileges from standard user level to root level execution. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, modify critical system files, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Solaris 7 and Solaris 8, representing a widespread issue across a substantial portion of the enterprise computing landscape at the time of discovery. Organizations running these operating systems were particularly vulnerable as the flaw existed in core system libraries that were widely used and accessible to local users, making exploitation relatively straightforward and potentially undetectable.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0165 should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. The primary solution involves applying the official security patches provided by Sun Microsystems to update the affected ximp40 shared library components. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including restricting local user access where possible, monitoring for unusual process execution patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation at the application level, using address space layout randomization where available, and ensuring that system libraries are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks and reduce the attack surface for such vulnerabilities.