CVE-2001-1127 in Progress
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Progress database 8.3D and 9.1C could allow a local user to execute arbitrary code via (1) _proapsv, (2) _mprosrv, (3) _mprshut, (4) orarx, (5) sqlcpp, (6) _probrkr, (7) _sqlschema and (8) _sqldump.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1127 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Progress database versions 8.3D and 9.1C. This security weakness manifests in multiple executable components including _proapsv, _mprosrv, _mprshut, orarx, sqlcpp, _probrkr, _sqlschema, and _sqldump, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. The buffer overflow occurs when these database components process input data without proper bounds checking, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. This vulnerability specifically targets local users who already have access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses network-based security controls and exploits the trust relationship between legitimate users and the database system. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checks permit memory corruption, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could leverage the overflow to execute arbitrary commands within the database environment. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially allow privilege escalation and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability involves improper input validation within the Progress database executables, where fixed-size buffers are used to store user-supplied data without adequate bounds checking mechanisms. When these components receive input longer than the allocated buffer space, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted input parameters that exceed buffer limits, causing the program to jump to attacker-controlled code locations. The vulnerability affects multiple database management components, indicating a systemic issue in the software architecture rather than isolated flaws, which increases the attack surface and makes comprehensive remediation more challenging. The specific executables mentioned represent core database services and utilities that are typically running with elevated privileges, making successful exploitation particularly damaging. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of software security flaws that can be exploited through application-level attacks, as opposed to network-based exploits, which makes it more difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1127 extends significantly beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as local users with access to these database components can potentially escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within the database environment. This vulnerability creates opportunities for data theft, system compromise, and denial of service conditions that can severely impact business operations and regulatory compliance. Organizations running affected Progress database versions face substantial risk of unauthorized data access and system manipulation, particularly in environments where database administrators and application users have local access rights. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, as the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database service account. This represents a serious concern for organizations that rely on Progress database systems for critical business applications, as it can result in financial losses, regulatory violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's presence in multiple database components means that even if one component is patched, others may still remain vulnerable, requiring comprehensive system-wide remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1127 must address both immediate vulnerability remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize applying official patches and updates provided by Progress Software Corporation to resolve the buffer overflow conditions in affected database versions. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and boundary checking mechanisms within database applications can help prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit local access rights for database users, reducing the attack surface for local exploitation attempts. System administrators should implement monitoring and logging controls to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other database components or applications. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security training for database administrators can help minimize the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation attempts targeting these specific database components. Compliance with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 should be maintained to ensure proper security controls are in place for database environments. Regular vulnerability management processes should include scanning for similar buffer overflow conditions in other database systems and applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.