CVE-2002-0088 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in admintool in Solaris 2.6, 7, and 8 allows local users to gain root privileges via a long media installation path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0088 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the admintool utility of Solaris operating systems versions 2.6, 7, and 8. This issue resides in the media installation path handling mechanism where the application fails to properly validate input length before copying data into fixed-size buffers. The flaw specifically affects the administrative tooling component that processes installation paths for media sources, creating a scenario where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow through memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user provides an excessively long media installation path to the admintool utility. The tool processes this input without adequate length validation, causing the buffer to overflow and overwrite adjacent memory regions including return addresses and control data. This memory corruption enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the elevated privileges of the admintool process, which typically runs with root privileges due to its administrative nature. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic stack-based buffer overflow pattern that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, specifically targeting local privilege escalation through application flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete system control through the compromised admintool process. Local users who can execute the admintool utility gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The affected Solaris versions represent a significant attack surface given their widespread deployment in enterprise environments where administrative tools are frequently used. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where administrators regularly manage media installations and where local user access cannot be fully restricted. The exploitation requires local access but does not require network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical or logical access is possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0088 should focus on immediate patching of affected Solaris versions through official Oracle security updates. Organizations must ensure that all systems running Solaris 2.6, 7, or 8 receive the appropriate security patches that address the buffer overflow in admintool. Additionally, system administrators should implement least privilege principles by restricting local user access to administrative tools and monitoring for unauthorized execution of admintool. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking in system utilities, particularly those with elevated privileges. Security monitoring should include detection of unusually long parameter inputs being passed to administrative tools, and system hardening practices should enforce proper buffer management and memory protection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to mitigate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in administrative tools and the potential consequences when such practices are not properly implemented.