CVE-2001-1414 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
The Basic Security Module (BSM) for Solaris 2.5.1, 2.6, 7, and 8 does not log anonymous FTP access, which allows remote attackers to hide their activities, possibly when certain BSM audit files are not present under the FTP root.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1414 affects the Basic Security Module implementation within Solaris operating systems versions 2.5.1 through 8. This security module is responsible for auditing system activities and maintaining logs of user actions for security monitoring purposes. The flaw specifically targets the logging mechanism for anonymous ftp access, creating a significant gap in audit capabilities that adversaries can exploit to conduct malicious activities without detection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it undermines fundamental security monitoring practices that organizations rely upon to detect unauthorized system access and potential breaches.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the BSM's failure to properly record anonymous ftp login attempts and associated activities within the system's audit logs. When users access ftp services anonymously, the system should log these events to track who accessed the system and when, but due to this flaw, such activities remain unrecorded in the audit trail. This logging deficiency becomes particularly problematic when certain BSM audit files are absent from the ftp root directory, as the system may not properly initialize or maintain the necessary logging infrastructure for anonymous access events. The vulnerability essentially creates a blind spot in the system's security monitoring capabilities, allowing malicious actors to perform ftp operations without leaving any trace in the system's audit records.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables remote attackers to conduct unauthorized activities while remaining undetected by system monitoring tools. This creates a false sense of security for system administrators who rely on audit logs to identify suspicious activities and potential security breaches. Attackers can exploit this weakness to establish persistent access to systems, transfer malicious files, or conduct reconnaissance activities without the organization being aware of their presence. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where ftp services are exposed to the internet and where anonymous access is permitted, as it removes the primary means of tracking who accesses these services and what actions they perform. This lack of visibility can lead to extended periods of undetected compromise and potentially allow attackers to establish backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive data.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability by ensuring proper audit logging is enabled and functioning correctly for all ftp access activities. System administrators should verify that BSM audit files are properly configured and present within the ftp root directories to maintain complete audit trails. The recommended approach includes implementing additional monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous ftp behavior patterns, establishing regular audit log reviews, and ensuring that all system components are properly patched and updated. According to the CWE taxonomy, this vulnerability relates to CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through logging, and CWE-254, which covers security misconfigurations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability enables techniques such as T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, as attackers can leverage the logging gaps to maintain persistence without detection. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions that can detect ftp traffic patterns and unusual access behaviors, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify similar logging gaps in their system configurations.