CVE-2001-0577 in OpenServer
Summary
by MITRE
recon in SCO OpenServer 5.0 through 5.0.6 can allow a local attacker to gain additional privileges via a buffer overflow attack in the first command line argument.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0577 resides within the recon utility of SCO OpenServer operating system versions 5.0 through 5.0.6. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing command line arguments, specifically the first argument passed to the recon program. The flaw enables local attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system. The recon utility is typically used for network reconnaissance and system information gathering, making it a valuable target for exploitation within the system's attack surface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the recon program's argument parsing mechanism. When the first command line argument is processed, the program fails to properly bounds-check the input data, allowing an attacker to overflow the allocated buffer space. This buffer overflow creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution, as the overflow can overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and program state information. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue since it requires local system access to exploit, but the successful exploitation results in elevated privileges. According to CWE guidelines, this maps to CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0577 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can serve as a foundational attack vector for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Once an attacker gains elevated privileges through this vulnerability, they can manipulate system files, install persistent backdoors, or access sensitive data that would otherwise be protected. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious command line argument that exceeds the buffer capacity, carefully positioning the payload to overwrite the return address, and redirecting program execution to the attacker-controlled code. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, which describes methods for leveraging system vulnerabilities to gain elevated access rights.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from SCO, as the flaw exists within the core operating system utilities. System administrators should implement the latest security patches available for SCO OpenServer 5.0 through 5.0.6, which address the buffer overflow in the recon utility. Additionally, privilege separation practices should be enforced to limit local user access to critical system utilities, and input validation should be implemented at all levels of system interaction. Network segmentation and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around buffer management and input validation, which should be integrated into all system development lifecycle processes. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other system utilities and applications, as the underlying architectural flaw may exist elsewhere in the system.