CVE-2002-0042 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the XFS file system for SGI IRIX before 6.5.12 allows local users to cause a denial of service (hang) by creating a file that is not properly processed by XFS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0042 represents a critical flaw within the XFS file system implementation for SGI IRIX operating systems prior to version 6.5.12. This issue manifests as a local privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious users to cause system-wide denial of service conditions through the manipulation of file creation processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and processing mechanisms within the XFS file system kernel components that handle file creation operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of specific file creation scenarios within the XFS file system architecture. When local users create files that trigger particular edge cases in the file system's processing logic, the system enters an infinite loop or deadlock condition that results in complete system hang. This occurs because the XFS implementation fails to properly validate file attributes or handle certain combinations of file system operations that should be gracefully managed by the kernel. The flaw specifically affects the file allocation and metadata update procedures within the XFS subsystem, where insufficient boundary checks and error handling mechanisms allow malicious file creation sequences to bypass normal system recovery procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions as it can effectively render entire systems unusable until manual intervention occurs through system reboot or hardware reset. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this weakness to disrupt system availability, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where system stability is paramount. The vulnerability affects all IRIX systems running versions earlier than 6.5.12, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on legacy SGI hardware and operating systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to disrupt critical business operations, particularly in environments where IRIX systems serve as primary storage or compute platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to IRIX version 6.5.12 or later, which includes patched XFS file system components that properly handle the problematic file creation scenarios. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of file system operations to detect unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks through system resource exhaustion. Organizations should also consider implementing access controls and privilege separation measures to limit local user capabilities, while establishing regular system maintenance procedures to ensure all security patches are applied promptly. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in legacy systems and maintain detailed system logs to facilitate forensic analysis in case of exploitation attempts.