CVE-2001-1442 in INN
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in innfeed for ISC InterNetNews (INN) before 2.3.0 allows local users in the "news" group to gain privileges via a long -c command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1442 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the innfeed component of ISC InterNetNews (INN) software version 2.2.9 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the command line argument processing mechanism where the -c flag is utilized for configuration purposes. The flaw exists in the way the innfeed daemon handles user input through command line parameters, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers who possess membership in the news group.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the innfeed daemon processes a specially crafted -c command line argument that exceeds the allocated buffer space. This condition stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the argument parsing routine. When the length of the -c argument surpasses the predetermined buffer limit, subsequent memory writes overflow into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and allowing for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, where the overflow corrupts the stack frame and can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local privilege escalation for users who are members of the news group, effectively providing them with elevated system privileges. This represents a serious security compromise since the news group membership is typically granted to users who need to manage news server operations, but the privilege escalation capability allows these users to gain root or administrative access to the system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal prerequisites beyond local system access and group membership, making it accessible to attackers who have already gained some level of system presence.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials to gain elevated privileges. The flaw is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where news group membership is common, as it provides a direct path for privilege escalation without requiring external network access or complex exploitation techniques. Organizations running affected versions of INN should consider this vulnerability as a critical security concern, especially in environments where news group members might have malicious intent or where system compromise could lead to broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to INN version 2.3.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict input validation controls and consider implementing additional access controls to limit news group membership to only trusted users. The patch implementation should be prioritized as a critical security update, and organizations should conduct thorough testing to ensure the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing news server configurations. Regular security audits and monitoring should be implemented to detect any potential exploitation attempts and to maintain overall system integrity against similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities.