CVE-2001-1129 in Progress
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerabilities in (1) _probuild, (2) _dbutil, (3) _mprosrv, (4) _mprshut, (5) _proapsv, (6) _progres, (7) _proutil, (8) _rfutil and (9) prolib in Progress database 9.1C allows a local user to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in the file used by the PROMSGS environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1129 represents a critical format string flaw affecting multiple components within Progress database version 9.1C. This issue manifests across nine distinct modules including _probuild, _dbutil, _mprosrv, _mprshut, _proapsv, _progres, _proutil, _rfutil, and prolib, creating a widespread attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically exploits the improper handling of format string specifiers within these modules, which are designed to process user-supplied input through the PROMSGS environment variable.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the insecure use of functions such as printf or sprintf without proper validation of user-provided format strings. When these database components process messages through the PROMSGS environment variable, they fail to sanitize input parameters that may contain format specifiers like %s, %d, or %x. This allows a local attacker to inject malicious format specifiers that can lead to memory corruption, information disclosure, or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the application level and requires local system access, making it a local privilege escalation vector rather than a remote attack.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1129 is significant as it provides a local attacker with the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected database processes. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The attack requires only local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local user accounts may be compromised or where attackers have legitimate access to system resources. The vulnerability affects multiple database utilities, increasing the potential attack vectors and making comprehensive patching more complex for system administrators.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which describes the weakness of using user-supplied format strings in functions like printf or sprintf. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching the affected Progress database version, restricting local system access, and monitoring for suspicious usage of the PROMSGS environment variable. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in database applications, particularly when handling user-provided data that may be processed through printf-family functions.