CVE-2001-1076 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in whodo in Solaris SunOS 5.5.1 through 5.8 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) SOR or (2) CFIME environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1076 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the whodo utility of Solaris SunOS operating systems ranging from version 5.5.1 through 5.8. This issue specifically affects the handling of environment variables, particularly the SOR and CFIME variables, creating a pathway for local attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The whodo utility, which is designed to display information about currently logged-in users and their processes, becomes a vector for privilege escalation when improperly managing environment variable inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the whodo program's environment variable processing logic. When the utility encounters environment variables exceeding predetermined buffer sizes, it fails to validate input lengths properly, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This buffer overflow condition occurs because the program uses unsafe string handling functions that do not perform sufficient bounds validation before copying environment variable contents into fixed-size buffers. The flaw is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where attacker-controlled data is copied into a stack buffer without proper size validation, creating opportunities for code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Local users who can manipulate environment variables gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the whodo process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. This creates a significant security risk as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges further, or potentially gain root access to the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local access might be more readily obtained than remote access, making it a preferred target for attackers seeking to establish footholds within systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1076 should focus on immediate patching of affected Solaris systems through official Sun Microsystems updates, which address the buffer overflow by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation. System administrators should also implement environment variable restrictions to limit the ability of local users to manipulate SOR and CFIME variables, though this approach provides only partial protection. Additional security measures include monitoring for unusual process behavior and implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and T1548.003 which covers abuse of unquoted service paths and environment variable manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation and least privilege principles to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, as the flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign system utilities can become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent.