CVE-2001-1579 in UnixWare
Summary
by MITRE
The timed program (in.timed) in UnixWare 7 and OpenUnix 8.0.0 does not properly terminate certain strings with a null, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1579 resides within the timed program component of UnixWare 7 and OpenUnix 8.0.0 operating systems, representing a classic buffer handling flaw that can be exploited for denial of service attacks. This issue specifically affects the in.timed service which is responsible for handling time synchronization requests and other network-based time-related operations. The flaw manifests when the program processes incoming network data without properly null-terminating strings before processing them, creating a potential for memory corruption or unexpected behavior during string operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow scenarios. When remote attackers send specially crafted network packets to the timed service, the program's inadequate string termination handling can lead to memory corruption or execution flow disruption. The absence of proper null termination in string processing operations creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout or cause the service to crash when attempting to process malformed input data. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, specifically targeting network denial of service through service interruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can potentially allow attackers to cause persistent denial of service conditions that affect time synchronization services critical for system operations. In enterprise environments where time synchronization is essential for authentication systems, log correlation, and security monitoring, this vulnerability could severely impact operational continuity. The timed service failure could cascade into broader system issues, particularly in environments where multiple services depend on accurate timekeeping for proper operation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1579 should include immediate patching of affected UnixWare and OpenUnix systems through official vendor updates. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict access to the timed service port, typically port 37, and consider disabling the service entirely if time synchronization is not required. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns targeting the timed service and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed string processing attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and string handling practices in network services, emphasizing that even seemingly benign services can become attack vectors when basic security principles are not properly implemented. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other services that might exhibit similar string handling flaws and ensure comprehensive patch management programs are in place to address such issues promptly.