CVE-2001-0873 in uuxqt
Summary
by MITRE
uuxqt in Taylor UUCP package does not properly remove dangerous long options, which allows local users to gain privileges by calling uux and specifying an alternate configuration file with the --config option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0873 resides within the uuxqt component of the Taylor UUCP package, a widely used Unix-to-Unix Copy Protocol implementation that facilitates file transfers between Unix systems. This flaw represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that directly impacts the security posture of systems relying on UUCP for inter-system communication. The vulnerability manifests when the uuxqt daemon processes incoming UUCP requests and fails to properly sanitize command-line arguments, specifically long options that should be rejected or filtered out during processing.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the uuxqt daemon's argument parsing mechanism. When local users execute the uux command with the --config option, they can specify an alternate configuration file that bypasses normal security checks. This occurs because the daemon does not properly validate or strip dangerous long options from the command line, allowing maliciously crafted arguments to be processed with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the system level where the daemon typically runs with higher privileges than regular user accounts, creating a direct path for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the UUCP system configuration in ways that compromise system integrity and confidentiality. An attacker who gains access to a local account can leverage this vulnerability to modify system-wide UUCP settings, potentially redirecting file transfers to malicious destinations or disabling security features. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-252, which deals with "Unchecked Return Value" in security contexts, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Local Privilege Escalation" through the exploitation of system-level vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system hardening measures including the application of security patches released by the Taylor UUCP maintainers or system vendors. Organizations should also implement strict access controls limiting who can execute uux commands and modify UUCP configurations. Network segmentation and monitoring of UUCP traffic can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized configuration files exist in locations accessible to unprivileged users, and system administrators should consider disabling UUCP services entirely if they are not actively required for mission-critical operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in system daemons, as well as the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components.