CVE-2001-0287 in Veritas Cluster Server
Summary
by MITRE
VERITAS Cluster Server (VCS) 1.3.0 on Solaris allows local users to cause a denial of service (system panic) via the -L option to the lltstat command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0287 affects VERITAS Cluster Server version 1.3.0 running on Solaris operating systems, presenting a significant security risk that can be exploited by local attackers to induce system crashes. This flaw specifically targets the lltstat command which is part of the VERITAS Cluster Server's monitoring and management utilities. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation within the command's handling of the -L option, creating a condition where malicious input can trigger unexpected system behavior leading to kernel panic and complete system shutdown.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and parameter validation within the lltstat command's processing logic. When a local user executes the lltstat command with the -L option, the system fails to properly sanitize the input parameters, allowing malformed or excessively long input strings to bypass normal validation procedures. This input processing flaw creates a buffer overflow condition or similar memory corruption issue within the kernel-level components that handle cluster status reporting. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient control of the length of input to a buffer results in the corruption of adjacent memory locations and ultimately system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a critical threat to cluster availability and system reliability since it can be exploited by any local user with access to the system, potentially including unprivileged accounts or compromised user sessions. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the system panic can result in data loss, transaction failures, and extended downtime for critical applications relying on the VERITAS Cluster Server for high availability. The local nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require network access or specialized privileges beyond basic system login capabilities, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation may occur through social engineering or other attack vectors.
The attack pattern associated with CVE-2001-0287 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, though the specific implementation targets local system resources rather than network infrastructure. The vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt cluster operations and potentially mask other malicious activities by creating system instability that obscures legitimate security events. Organizations implementing VERITAS Cluster Server should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat modeling, particularly in environments where local access controls may be weak or where insider threats are a concern.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of vendor patches or updates to VERITAS Cluster Server version 1.3.1 or later, which contain proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual lltstat command usage patterns and establish logging controls that can identify potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege minimization practices should be enforced to limit local access to cluster management utilities. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that all cluster components are running patched versions and that proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized local system access that could lead to exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.