CVE-2001-0595 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the kcsSUNWIOsolf.so library in Solaris 7 and 8 allows local attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the KCMS_PROFILES environment variable, e.g. as demonstrated using the kcms_configure program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0595 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the kcsSUNWIOsolf.so library component of Solaris 7 and 8 operating systems. This issue manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately check the length of data processed through the KCMS_PROFILES environment variable. The affected library serves as part of the Kerberos authentication and credential management system, specifically designed to handle profile configurations for the Kerberos Common Services. When the kcms_configure program processes user-supplied input through this environment variable without proper bounds checking, it creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic stack-based buffer overflow attack pattern that aligns with CWE-121, which describes unsafe use of stack-based buffer operations. The flaw stems from inadequate memory management practices where the KCMS_PROFILES environment variable value is directly copied into a fixed-size buffer without verification of its actual length. This allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data structures, effectively enabling code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of a local user who can leverage the existing Kerberos authentication framework to gain elevated privileges, potentially reaching root access levels depending on the system configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise potential. Local attackers with minimal privileges can exploit this flaw to execute malicious code, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects systems running Solaris 7 and 8 versions where the kcsSUNWIOsolf.so library is present and actively used by the kcms_configure utility. Attackers can construct malicious payloads that manipulate the KCMS_PROFILES environment variable to overwrite critical program execution flow, potentially bypassing standard security controls. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation failures in system libraries can create significant security risks, particularly when combined with legitimate system utilities that process user-controlled data.
Security mitigations for CVE-2001-0595 should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle, which addressed this issue through proper buffer length validation in subsequent Solaris updates. System administrators must ensure that all Solaris 7 and 8 systems are updated with the latest security patches, as this vulnerability was classified as high-risk by multiple security organizations including the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database. Additional protective measures include implementing proper environment variable sanitization, restricting access to the kcms_configure utility, and monitoring for unusual process execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those recommended by the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other system components and implement runtime protections such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce exploitation success rates.