CVE-2001-1553 in SETI@home
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in setiathome for SETI@home 3.03, if installed setuid, could allow local users to execute arbitrary code via long command line options (1) socks_server, (2) socks_user, and (3) socks_passwd. NOTE: since the default configuration of setiathome is not setuid, perhaps this issue should not be included in CVE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1553 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the setiathome application version 3.03 when configured with setuid privileges. This issue stems from improper input validation in the command line argument processing mechanism, specifically affecting three parameters: socks_server, socks_user, and socks_passwd. The buffer overflow occurs when local users provide excessively long command line arguments that exceed the allocated buffer space, creating potential exploitation opportunities for code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly bounds-check command line parameters before copying them into fixed-size buffers. When the setiathome process executes with elevated privileges due to setuid configuration, an attacker can manipulate these three specific command line options to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the setuid process. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a common weakness in software security practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it transforms a local privilege escalation vector into a potential remote code execution threat when combined with other attack vectors. Since the default configuration of setiathome does not utilize setuid privileges, the immediate risk may be limited to systems where administrators have explicitly configured the application with elevated permissions. However, the presence of such a vulnerability in a widely distributed application like SETI@home creates inherent security risks for users who may inadvertently configure the application incorrectly. The attack surface expands when considering that local users with basic system access can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on several key areas including immediate patching of the setiathome application to properly validate input lengths before buffer operations. System administrators must ensure that setiathome is not configured with setuid privileges unless absolutely necessary for legitimate operational requirements. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Furthermore, input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent buffer overflows through proper bounds checking and use of safe string handling functions. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious command line argument patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management and input validation in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. The issue underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege to minimize potential attack surfaces in distributed computing environments.