CVE-2001-1541 in BSD-OS
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Unix-to-Unix Copy Protocol (UUCP) in BSDI BSD/OS 3.0 through 4.2 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long command line argument.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1541 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Unix-to-Unix Copy Protocol implementation of BSDI BSD/OS operating systems versions 3.0 through 4.2. This issue affects the fundamental communication mechanism used for transferring files between Unix systems and exposes a significant security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers. The UUCP protocol, designed for reliable file transfer across Unix networks, becomes a vector for privilege escalation when improperly handling command line arguments. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the protocol's command processing mechanism, where command line parameters are directly copied into fixed-size buffers without proper bounds checking. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by enabling local privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the UUCP daemon processes command line arguments that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent memory locations. Local users with access to the system can craft malicious command line arguments containing excessive data to trigger the overflow condition. The overflow typically affects the stack memory layout, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. When the program attempts to return from the vulnerable function, it may execute code at an attacker-controlled memory location, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the UUCP daemon process. This privilege escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can allow attackers to gain elevated system access and potentially compromise the entire system.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1541 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass broader system compromise and data integrity threats. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges to root level, and potentially deploy additional malicious payloads. The local nature of the attack means that any user with access to the system can potentially exploit this weakness, making it particularly concerning for multi-user environments where privilege separation is critical. Systems running affected BSDI BSD/OS versions are vulnerable to unauthorized access and potential complete system takeover, as the UUCP daemon typically runs with elevated privileges to facilitate file transfers between systems. The vulnerability also impacts system availability since successful exploitation can cause program crashes or unexpected behavior that may disrupt legitimate file transfer operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from BSDI, as the manufacturer released fixes specifically addressing the buffer overflow condition in their UUCP implementation. System administrators should implement the latest security patches and updates to ensure the vulnerable code is replaced with properly validated buffer handling mechanisms. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary UUCP services when not actively required, implementing strict access controls for UUCP functionality, and monitoring system logs for suspicious command line arguments that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices should be enforced to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in system-level software, particularly in protocols that handle external inputs. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts and establish robust patch management procedures to address similar vulnerabilities in other system components.