CVE-2002-0089 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in admintool in Solaris 2.5 through 8 allows local users to gain root privileges via long arguments to (1) the -d command line option, or (2) the PRODVERS argument in the .cdtoc file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0089 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the admintool utility of Solaris operating systems spanning versions 2.5 through 8. This security weakness fundamentally stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle excessively long argument strings passed to the administrative tool. The vulnerability manifests specifically when users provide overly long parameters to either the -d command line option or when manipulating the PRODVERS argument within the .cdtoc file configuration structure. Such buffer overflow conditions create opportunities for malicious exploitation that can result in privilege escalation from standard user accounts to the privileged root administrative level.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The admintool utility appears to employ unsafe string handling functions that do not validate the length of incoming arguments before copying them into fixed-size buffers. When the -d option receives excessively long arguments or when the PRODVERS field in .cdtoc files exceeds predetermined buffer limits, the program's memory layout becomes corrupted through stack smashing techniques. This memory corruption can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow toward malicious code payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Local users who can execute the admintool utility gain the ability to leverage this buffer overflow for root privilege elevation without requiring network connectivity or remote access capabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness through carefully crafted command line arguments or by manipulating the .cdtoc file configuration, which may be accessible through normal system usage patterns. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Solaris versions from 2.5 to 8 indicates a fundamental design flaw in the administrative tool's input handling mechanisms that remained unaddressed for several years. This prolonged exposure period significantly increases the attack surface and risk profile for affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0089 should prioritize immediate system patching and update procedures to address the underlying buffer overflow conditions. Organizations must implement strict input validation controls that enforce maximum argument length limits for all command line parameters and configuration file fields. The solution approach should incorporate defensive programming practices such as using safe string handling functions that perform bounds checking, implementing stack canaries, and employing address space layout randomization techniques. Additionally, system administrators should restrict unnecessary access to the admintool utility and implement proper file permissions on .cdtoc files to prevent unauthorized modification. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and buffer management in system security, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers the exploitation of system vulnerabilities for privilege escalation. Security monitoring should focus on detecting abnormal command line argument patterns and file modification activities related to administrative tools and configuration files.