CVE-2001-0607 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
asecure as included with HP-UX 10.01 through 11.00 can allow a local attacker to create a denial of service and gain additional privileges via unsafe permissions on the asecure program, a different vulnerability than CVE-2000-0083.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0607 affects the asecure program distributed with Hewlett-Packard Unix operating systems versions 10.01 through 11.00. This program serves as a security utility within the HP-UX environment and is designed to manage and enforce security policies. The flaw stems from improper permission settings that allow local attackers to exploit the system through privilege escalation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically relates to the insecure configuration of file permissions on the asecure executable, which creates opportunities for unauthorized privilege elevation. This issue represents a distinct security weakness from CVE-2000-0083, indicating that multiple vulnerabilities exist within the same software component. The affected versions of HP-UX represent a critical security concern as they provide attackers with pathways to compromise system integrity and availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the asecure program's file permissions being configured in a manner that permits unauthorized users to manipulate or execute the program with elevated privileges. When a program possesses overly permissive permissions, particularly setuid or setgid bits, local attackers can exploit these configurations to execute malicious code with higher privileges than intended. The asecure utility likely operates with elevated system privileges to perform security management functions, but the improper permission settings allow local users to either directly invoke the program with elevated rights or manipulate its execution environment. This creates a privilege escalation vector where attackers can leverage the program's legitimate functionality to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in the software distribution process and highlights the importance of proper permission management in security-critical applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential denial of service conditions within the affected HP-UX systems. Local attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can manipulate the security mechanisms that protect system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The denial of service aspect occurs when malicious users can disrupt the normal operation of the asecure program or cause it to behave in unexpected ways that affect overall system stability. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments that rely on HP-UX for critical applications, as attackers could potentially gain access to sensitive data or disrupt business operations. The combination of privilege escalation and denial of service capabilities makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where system reliability and security are paramount. Organizations using affected HP-UX versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential system-wide compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0607 should focus on immediate permission correction and system hardening measures. System administrators must verify that the asecure program has appropriate file permissions, typically requiring restrictive settings that prevent unauthorized execution with elevated privileges. The recommended approach involves implementing proper access controls and ensuring that security utilities do not possess unnecessary permissions that could be exploited. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and reflects ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. Organizations should also implement regular security audits to identify and correct similar permission misconfigurations across their systems. The most effective immediate fix involves correcting the file permissions on the asecure program to ensure it operates with the minimum required privileges. Additionally, system administrators should consider upgrading to supported HP-UX versions that address this vulnerability and other related security issues. Regular monitoring and logging of security-related program executions can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of compromise attempts.