CVE-2002-0442 in OpenServer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in dlvr_audit for Caldera OpenServer 5.0.5 and 5.0.6 allows local users to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0442 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the dlvr_audit component of Caldera OpenServer versions 5.0.5 and 5.0.6. This issue resides in the system's auditing functionality where the dlvr_audit utility processes audit log entries and handles buffer management during data processing. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate input lengths before copying data into fixed-size buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to escalate privileges.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate bounds checking within the dlvr_audit utility's input handling mechanisms. When processing audit data, the application uses stack-based buffers without sufficient length validation, allowing an attacker to overflow these buffers and overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the program execution flow through controlled memory corruption, ultimately allowing privilege escalation from local user to root level access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to systems running Caldera OpenServer 5.0.5 and 5.0.6 as it requires only local user access to exploit. Attackers can leverage this condition to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining complete system control. The attack vector involves crafting malicious input that exceeds buffer capacity, causing the overflow to overwrite critical execution context. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1059, covering 'Command and Scripting Interpreter', as exploitation typically involves executing commands through compromised processes. The impact extends beyond immediate privilege escalation to include potential data compromise, system integrity violations, and persistent access to the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0442 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Caldera OpenServer versions, as no reliable workarounds exist for this buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive system hardening measures including disabling unnecessary services and restricting local user access to critical system components. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual audit log processing activities. Security teams should also consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in system security, particularly within auditing and logging components that handle untrusted data from multiple sources.