CVE-2002-0265 in Sawmill
Summary
by MITRE
Sawmill for Solaris 6.2.14 and earlier creates the AdminPassword file with world-writable permissions, which allows local users to gain privileges by modifying the file.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0265 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in Sawmill for Solaris versions 6.2.14 and earlier. This issue stems from improper file permission handling during the software installation process, creating a security weakness that directly enables local attackers to elevate their system privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the AdminPassword file which is generated during the Sawmill installation procedure on Solaris operating systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure default permissions assigned to the AdminPassword file. When Sawmill installs on Solaris systems, it creates this administrative password file with world-writable permissions, meaning any local user account on the system can modify or overwrite the file contents. This represents a classic case of improper privilege management and file system permission configuration that violates fundamental security principles. The CWE-732 category applies here as the software creates security-critical files with incorrect permissions, allowing unauthorized modification by users who should not have such access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations running affected Sawmill versions on Solaris systems. Local users who might otherwise have limited access to the system can exploit this weakness to gain administrative privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as the attacker can then modify system configurations, access sensitive data, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege and creates an attack surface that can be leveraged for further lateral movement within a network.
The security implications of CVE-2002-0265 align with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation through file permissions manipulation and credential access via password file modification. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration oversights in software installation processes can create substantial security risks. Organizations should consider implementing mandatory access controls and regular permission audits to detect such misconfigurations. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of affected Sawmill versions, proper permission correction for the AdminPassword file, and implementation of monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized file modifications. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other software components that might exhibit similar permission-related vulnerabilities, ensuring that all security-critical files are properly protected with restrictive permissions that align with the principle of least privilege.