CVE-2001-1063 in OpenUnix
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in uidadmin in Caldera Open Unix 8.0.0 and UnixWare 7 allows local users to gain root privileges via a long -S (scheme) command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1063 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the uidadmin utility of Caldera Open Unix 8.0.0 and UnixWare 7 operating systems. This issue resides in the command line argument processing mechanism where the -S (scheme) option fails to properly validate input length, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to escalate their privileges to the root level. The uidadmin utility is designed to manage user identification and authentication schemes within the Unix environment, making it a critical component for system security operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the argument parsing code of uidadmin. When a local user provides an excessively long argument value to the -S flag, the program fails to enforce length limitations on the input buffer, allowing memory corruption to occur. This buffer overflow condition specifically affects the stack-based memory allocation used to store command line arguments, where the excessive input overwrites adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The flaw is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a classic vulnerability pattern where insufficient bounds checking permits unauthorized memory access and modification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. Local attackers who exploit this condition can execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively bypassing all standard security controls and access restrictions. This capability enables adversaries to modify system files, create new user accounts with administrative privileges, install backdoors, and access confidential data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special network access or external exploitation mechanisms, making it accessible to any user with local login access to the affected systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and execution through command-line interfaces. The attack vector leverages legitimate system utilities to achieve unauthorized access, making detection more challenging as the behavior appears to be normal system operation. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the potential for seemingly benign administrative utilities to become attack vectors when insufficient security controls are implemented. Organizations running these legacy Unix systems face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where local access controls are not properly enforced. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying vendor patches or updates, implementing input validation controls, and considering the removal of unnecessary administrative utilities from production systems. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that all system utilities properly implement bounds checking and input validation to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions from occurring in other components of the operating system.