CVE-2002-0631 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in nveventd in NetVisualyzer on SGI IRIX 6.5 through 6.5.16 allows local users to write arbitrary files and gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0631 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the NetVisualyzer network monitoring suite on SGI IRIX operating systems. This issue specifically affects versions 6.5 through 6.5.16, where the nveventd daemon exhibits insecure file handling behavior that can be exploited by local attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and file manipulation mechanisms within the network event monitoring component that processes system events and generates alerts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a file writing primitive that allows local users to manipulate system files with elevated privileges. When the nveventd daemon processes certain network events or configuration inputs, it fails to properly validate file paths or enforce appropriate access controls during file creation or modification operations. This insecure implementation enables attackers to create or overwrite system files with malicious content, potentially leading to privilege escalation from a regular user account to the root administrative level. The flaw operates at the system level where the daemon typically runs with elevated privileges, making the exploitation particularly dangerous for system integrity.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to SGI IRIX systems running NetVisualyzer, as local attackers can leverage it to establish persistent access to compromised systems. The ability to write arbitrary files and gain root privileges means that attackers can modify system binaries, create backdoor accounts, install malicious software, or completely compromise the system's security posture. This type of local privilege escalation vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require network access or external attack vectors, making it exploitable from within the local system environment. The vulnerability essentially provides a path for attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and achieve full administrative control over the affected systems.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate system patching and access control hardening. Organizations should prioritize applying the latest security patches provided by SGI to address the specific file handling issues within nveventd. Additionally, implementing proper file system permissions and access controls can help limit the damage that could be caused by such vulnerabilities. System administrators should consider restricting the execution privileges of the nveventd daemon and implementing monitoring for suspicious file creation or modification activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-73 and CWE-276 categories related to improper file permissions and insecure file handling, and it maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. The remediation approach should include comprehensive system auditing to identify any potential compromise that may have occurred before patching, as the vulnerability could have been exploited to establish persistent access to affected systems.