CVE-2001-1582 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the LDAP naming services library (libsldap) in Sun Solaris 8 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long LDAP_OPTIONS environment variable to a privileged program that uses libsldap.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1582 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol naming services library component of Sun Solaris 8 operating systems. This issue resides in the libsldap library which handles LDAP operations and communications, making it a fundamental component in directory services infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects local users who can exploit this weakness by manipulating the LDAP_OPTIONS environment variable, which then gets processed by privileged programs utilizing the libsldap library. This creates a significant security risk as it allows attackers with local access to potentially escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the libsldap library's handling of environment variables. When a privileged program processes the LDAP_OPTIONS environment variable, the library fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the library assumes a maximum length for the environment variable without enforcing strict limits on input size. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of privileged programs, meaning that successful exploitation can result in elevated privileges and complete system compromise. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented vulnerability pattern that has been extensively studied in cybersecurity literature.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. Local users who successfully exploit this weakness can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the target program, which may include system-level processes or services running with elevated permissions. This opens pathways for attackers to modify system files, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive information from the directory services infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it leverages a local system component to gain elevated access rights. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the broader category of T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter, where the exploitation involves manipulating environment variables to achieve code execution. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where Solaris 8 systems may be running critical directory services that are directly vulnerable to this attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1582 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-supplied patches from Sun Microsystems that address the buffer overflow in the libsldap library. Organizations should also implement environment variable restrictions to prevent untrusted input from being processed by privileged programs. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary services, implementing proper access controls, and monitoring for suspicious environment variable usage can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other system components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system libraries. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing new compatibility issues in existing applications that depend on the LDAP services.