CVE-2002-0219 in Base
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in (1) sastcpd in SAS/Base 8.0 and 8.1 or (2) objspawn in SAS/Integration Technologies 8.0 and 8.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via large command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0219 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting SAS software components that has significant implications for system security and integrity. This vulnerability exists within two distinct SAS products: the sastcpd service in SAS/Base versions 8.0 and 8.1, and the objspawn component in SAS/Integration Technologies versions 8.0 and 8.1. Both components are part of the broader SAS analytical platform suite that organizations rely upon for data processing and business intelligence operations. The buffer overflow occurs when these services process command line arguments without proper input validation or bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the targeted SAS components. When command line arguments exceed the allocated buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program execution flow and allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and specifically aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the local user level, meaning that an attacker who already has access to the system can exploit this weakness to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized control over the affected software components. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue within the ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques involving privilege escalation through software exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0219 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to systems running vulnerable SAS software versions. Organizations utilizing these legacy SAS products face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability affects critical business intelligence and data processing infrastructure, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data and disrupting analytical operations. Given that SAS products are commonly used in financial services, healthcare, and government sectors, the implications of exploitation could be severe, potentially leading to regulatory violations and substantial financial losses. The local execution requirement means that attackers must first obtain legitimate user credentials or access to the system, but once achieved, the privilege escalation capability provides a powerful foothold for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying vendor patches and updates to SAS/Base 8.0 and 8.1, as well as SAS/Integration Technologies 8.0 and 8.1, to resolve the buffer overflow conditions in the affected components. Organizations should also implement strict input validation controls and bounds checking mechanisms within their application environments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in custom code or third-party integrations. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, comprehensive system monitoring and logging should be implemented to detect anomalous command line usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across the organization's software portfolio, particularly given the age of the affected SAS versions which may no longer receive security updates from the vendor.