CVE-2001-0576 in OpenServer
Summary
by MITRE
lpusers as included with SCO OpenServer 5.0 through 5.0.6 allows a local attacker to gain additional privileges via a buffer overflow attack in the -u command line parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0576 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the lpusers utility distributed with SCO OpenServer versions 5.0 through 5.0.6. This utility serves as a command-line tool for managing printer user access controls within the SCO OpenServer operating system environment. The buffer overflow occurs specifically when processing the -u command line parameter, which is designed to specify user accounts for printer access management. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the lpusers implementation, creating an exploitable condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the program's execution stack.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow conditions, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write beyond the allocated buffer space. When a local attacker provides a specially crafted argument to the -u parameter, the program fails to properly validate the input length, enabling the attacker to overwrite return addresses and potentially executable code in the stack memory. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and violates fundamental security principles regarding input sanitization and memory boundary enforcement. The vulnerability specifically affects the SCO OpenServer 5.0.x series, indicating that this was a targeted issue within a specific operating system release lineage rather than a universal flaw across all systems.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running affected SCO OpenServer versions, as it allows local attackers with basic user privileges to escalate their access rights. The attack vector requires local system access, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a remote exploit, but the potential impact remains severe since it can enable attackers to gain additional privileges beyond their initial access level. The buffer overflow could potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, particularly if the system is configured to allow the lpusers utility to be executed by non-privileged users. This creates a pathway for attackers to potentially gain root access or at minimum elevated privileges that could allow them to manipulate printer configurations, access sensitive system resources, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" under the privilege escalation category. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation in system utilities can create dangerous security boundaries within operating system environments. Organizations running SCO OpenServer 5.0 through 5.0.6 should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern given the potential for local privilege escalation and the historical context of similar buffer overflow exploits that have been widely targeted in the security community. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper security testing and code review practices, particularly for system utilities that handle user input and operate with elevated privileges. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch application from SCO, input validation hardening, and system monitoring for unusual lpusers utility usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.