CVE-2001-1583 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
lpd daemon (in.lpd) in Solaris 8 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a job request with a crafted control file that is not properly handled when lpd invokes a mail program. NOTE: this might be the same vulnerability as CVE-2000-1220.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2025
The lpd daemon in Solaris 8 and earlier versions contains a critical command injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the lpd daemon processes job requests containing crafted control files that are not properly sanitized before being passed to a mail program. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow and command injection vector that exploits improper input validation and sanitization within the print daemon's processing pipeline.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lpd daemon's failure to properly escape or validate special characters in control file data before invoking external mail programs. When a malicious user submits a print job request with a specially crafted control file, the daemon passes this untrusted data directly to system commands without adequate sanitization. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as shell commands, allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the lpd daemon process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.004 for command and script injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote attackers with full system compromise capabilities without requiring authentication. Once exploited, attackers can execute commands with the privileges of the lpd daemon, which typically runs with elevated permissions to manage print jobs and system resources. The vulnerability affects the core print services functionality of Solaris systems, potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This represents a critical security gap in the operating system's privilege management and input validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the appropriate security patches from Oracle that address the command injection flaw in the lpd daemon, disabling the lpd service if print functionality is not required, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to print services. System administrators should also consider implementing input validation controls and monitoring for suspicious print job submissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in system services and highlights the risks associated with executing external commands with untrusted data. Organizations should prioritize patch management and network access controls to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other system components. This issue serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices in system-level services and proper privilege separation in operating system implementations.