CVE-2002-0090 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Low BandWidth X proxy (lbxproxy) in Solaris 8 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long display command line option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0090 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Low BandWidth X proxy component of Solaris 8 operating systems. This issue specifically affects the lbxproxy application which serves as a proxy for X11 connections, enabling efficient bandwidth usage for remote desktop sessions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the command line parsing functionality of the lbxproxy utility, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated system privileges.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the lbxproxy application processes display command line options without proper bounds checking on input parameters. When a local user provides an excessively long display command line option, the application fails to validate the input length against the allocated buffer space, resulting in memory corruption that can be manipulated to overwrite critical program execution structures. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of a system utility that typically runs with elevated privileges, providing local attackers with a direct path to privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Solaris 8 systems that have the lbxproxy component installed and configured. Local users who can execute commands on the affected system can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the lbxproxy process, potentially escalating to root access depending on how the application is configured. The attack vector is relatively simple to exploit since it only requires local system access and the ability to invoke the lbxproxy utility with crafted command line arguments. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local access might be obtained through various legitimate means such as shared accounts or compromised user credentials.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise potential. Attackers who successfully exploit this buffer overflow can potentially install backdoors, modify system files, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of input validation in system utilities and highlights how seemingly benign command line parameter processing can become a critical security weakness. Organizations running Solaris 8 systems should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the privilege escalation tactics where adversaries seek to gain higher-level permissions within compromised systems. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities often leads to further lateral movement within networks as attackers establish more persistent footholds for extended access and data exfiltration operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0090 should focus on immediate patching of affected Solaris 8 systems through official Oracle security updates. System administrators should also implement strict input validation controls and consider disabling unnecessary X11 proxy functionality if not required for operational needs. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious command line invocations and implementing privilege separation mechanisms to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other system components, as this type of flaw was prevalent in many legacy applications of that era and continues to be relevant in understanding historical security patterns and attack methodologies.