CVE-2001-0279 in sudo
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in sudo earlier than 1.6.3p6 allows local users to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0279 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the sudo command utility affecting versions prior to 1.6.3p6. This issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing command-line arguments, creating a condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the sudo process. The flaw specifically manifests when sudo processes the -c option, which allows execution of commands from a string argument. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted command strings that exceed the allocated buffer size, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs through stack-based memory corruption that enables attackers to overwrite return addresses and control execution flow. When sudo processes command arguments, it fails to properly bounds-check input data, allowing an attacker to overwrite the stack frame with malicious data. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the sudo utility's argument parsing mechanism, which is designed to execute commands with elevated privileges. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows local users to bypass authentication mechanisms and escalate their privileges to the root level without requiring prior access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0279 is severe and far-reaching within Unix-like operating systems where sudo is commonly deployed. Local users who can execute sudo commands with limited privileges can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete root access to the system, effectively undermining the entire privilege separation model that sudo is designed to maintain. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to privilege escalation. The exploitability of this vulnerability is high due to the widespread use of sudo across Unix and Linux distributions, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0279 require immediate patching of affected sudo versions to 1.6.3p6 or later, which includes proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting sudo access through proper configuration in the sudoers file, enabling logging of all sudo activities, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in security-critical applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation measures, regularly auditing sudo configurations, and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components. This vulnerability serves as a historical example of how buffer overflow flaws in system utilities can provide attackers with complete system compromise, emphasizing the need for rigorous software security practices and regular vulnerability assessments.