CVE-2001-1264 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in mkacct in HP-UX 11.04 running Virtualvault Operating System (VVOS) 4.0 and 4.5 allows attackers to elevate privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1264 resides within the mkacct utility of HP-UX 11.04 systems running Virtualvault Operating System version 4.0 and 4.5. This flaw represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that directly impacts the security posture of affected systems. The mkacct utility is responsible for creating user accounts within the Virtualvault environment, making it a critical component for system access management. The vulnerability specifically manifests in how the utility handles privilege levels during account creation processes, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized users to gain elevated system privileges.
This technical flaw stems from improper privilege checking mechanisms within the mkacct utility implementation. The vulnerability operates at the system call level where insufficient validation occurs during account creation operations, allowing attackers to manipulate the privilege escalation process. The issue can be categorized under CWE-269 which specifically addresses improper privilege management in operating systems. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can create new user accounts with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the normal access control mechanisms that protect system resources and sensitive data. The flaw essentially allows attackers to gain root-level access to the system, providing complete control over all system functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1264 is severe and far-reaching within enterprise environments that utilize HP-UX systems with Virtualvault. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can establish persistent backdoors, access sensitive data repositories, modify system configurations, and potentially compromise entire network infrastructures. The vulnerability affects systems where Virtualvault is deployed as a security solution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where this specific operating system configuration is used for critical applications. The attack vector typically involves exploiting the mkacct utility through carefully crafted inputs that manipulate the privilege escalation process. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely if the affected system allows remote access to the mkacct utility or if attackers can gain initial access through other means.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1264 should focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations should implement the vendor-provided security patches that address the privilege escalation flaw in the mkacct utility. System administrators should also conduct thorough security audits to identify any existing compromised accounts or unauthorized access points. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to system management utilities. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious account creation activities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local system exploitation, making it a target for threat actors seeking to establish persistent access within compromised systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in other system components.