CVE-2001-1508 in OpenServer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in lpstat in SCO OpenServer 5.0 through 5.0.6a allows local users to execute arbitrary code as group bin via a long command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1508 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw within the lpstat utility of SCO OpenServer operating systems. This issue affects versions 5.0 through 5.0.6a, where the lpstat command fails to properly validate command line argument lengths, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the group bin, which typically holds system administration privileges, allowing successful exploitation to result in code execution with elevated permissions.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the lpstat utility's argument parsing mechanism. When a local user provides an excessively long command line argument, the program does not perform adequate bounds checking on the input buffer, causing data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be manipulated to overwrite return addresses or function pointers, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow. The flaw resides in the program's failure to implement proper input validation and buffer size management, which aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant security risk for systems running affected SCO OpenServer versions. Local users who can execute commands on the system gain the ability to escalate their privileges to the group bin level, which typically corresponds to administrative or system-level access. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to modify system files, install malicious software, or potentially compromise the entire system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local access, making it exploitable in scenarios where attackers already have user-level access to the system but seek to elevate their privileges.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and relies on the attacker's ability to execute commands locally on the target system. Once the local user has access to the command line, they can craft a specially formatted command line argument that exceeds the buffer capacity, triggering the overflow condition. The exploit typically involves carefully constructed input that overflows the buffer and overwrites critical memory locations to redirect execution flow toward malicious code. This attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting local account access and privilege escalation through software exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1508 should include immediate patching of affected SCO OpenServer systems to the latest available security updates from SCO. Organizations should also implement proper input validation mechanisms and ensure that all system utilities perform adequate bounds checking on command line arguments. System administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as privilege separation, mandatory access controls, and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other system utilities. The remediation process should also include user access controls to limit local execution capabilities and reduce the attack surface for such privilege escalation exploits.