CVE-2001-0379 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the newgrp program included with HP9000 servers running HP-UX 11.11 allows a local attacker to obtain higher access rights.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0379 resides within the newgrp program component of HP-UX 11.11 operating systems running on HP9000 servers. This issue represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables local attackers to elevate their access rights within the system. The newgrp program serves as a critical utility for managing group memberships in Unix-like operating systems, and its improper implementation creates a security weakness that can be exploited by malicious users already present within the system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user inputs and improper handling of group membership changes that could allow an attacker to bypass normal access controls and gain elevated privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access control mechanisms within the newgrp program implementation. When users execute the newgrp command to change their primary group, the program fails to properly validate the group membership parameters and does not adequately verify whether the executing user has legitimate authorization to assume the requested group privileges. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation where a local attacker can manipulate the program's behavior to gain access to higher privilege levels than originally assigned. The vulnerability specifically relates to the program's failure to properly enforce the setgid bit on the newgrp executable, which should restrict access to group membership changes to authorized users only. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized users to exploit the program's functionality to obtain elevated system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the HP-UX 11.11 system. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive system resources, modify critical files, and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised system. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly concerning for environments where multiple users share system resources or where privilege separation is not properly enforced. Once exploited, the vulnerability could enable attackers to access system configuration files, manipulate user accounts, and potentially compromise the integrity of the entire system. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where HP9000 servers running HP-UX 11.11 may host critical business applications and sensitive data. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper privilege management, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control that violates fundamental security principles.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0379 should focus on immediate system hardening and proper privilege management. System administrators must ensure that the newgrp program is properly configured with appropriate permissions and that the setgid bit is correctly implemented to restrict access to authorized users only. The recommended approach includes applying the appropriate security patches provided by HP, which would correct the privilege escalation vulnerability in the newgrp program implementation. Additionally, implementing proper user account management practices, regular security audits, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can help detect and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege models, ensuring that users only have the minimum necessary privileges required for their legitimate system operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the necessity of maintaining current security patches for all system components, particularly those handling privilege management functions. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of system vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive system security maintenance and monitoring.