CVE-2001-0699 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in cb_reset in the System Service Processor (SSP) package of SunOS 5.8 allows a local user to execute arbitrary code via a long argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0699 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the System Service Processor package of SunOS 5.8 operating system. This issue specifically affects the cb_reset function which handles reset operations for the system service processor component. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing command line arguments, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated privileges. The flaw exists in the way the system processes user-supplied arguments during reset operations, allowing an attacker to overflow a fixed-size buffer and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data.
From a technical perspective, this buffer overflow vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability manifests when a local user provides an excessively long argument to the cb_reset function, causing the program to write beyond the allocated memory buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the program execution flow by overwriting the stack frame, potentially allowing them to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted process. The attack vector is local since it requires the attacker to already have access to the system, but the impact can be severe as it allows privilege escalation to higher system levels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides a pathway for local attackers to escalate their privileges within the SunOS environment. Since the System Service Processor is a critical system component responsible for various hardware and system management functions, compromising this component can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems running SunOS 5.8 specifically, making it a targeted issue for organizations maintaining legacy solaris environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass security controls, access sensitive system resources, and potentially establish persistent access points within the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0699 should focus on immediate patching of affected SunOS 5.8 systems through official vendor updates and security patches. Organizations should also implement input validation controls at the application level to prevent overly long arguments from being processed by the cb_reset function. System administrators should consider disabling unnecessary services and reducing the attack surface by limiting local user access to critical system components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers may use this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. Additionally, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar buffer overflow exploitation attempts.