CVE-2002-0632 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in SGI BDS (Bulk Data Service) BDSPro 2.4 and earlier allows clients to read arbitrary files on a BDS server.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0632 resides within the SGI Bulk Data Service (BDS) BDSPro software version 2.4 and earlier implementations. This security flaw represents a critical path traversal issue that fundamentally compromises the integrity of the data service by enabling unauthorized file access. The SGI BDS system was designed to facilitate bulk data transfer operations within high-performance computing environments, particularly in scientific and research computing contexts where large datasets are routinely managed and distributed across networked systems.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the BDS server implementation. When client applications interact with the BDS service, the software fails to adequately sanitize file path parameters submitted by clients. This allows malicious users to craft specially formatted requests that traverse directory structures beyond the intended boundaries of the service. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to specify arbitrary file paths that the server will attempt to access and return to the requesting client, effectively bypassing normal file system access controls and permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can potentially access sensitive configuration files, user credentials, system logs, and other confidential data stored on the BDS server. In high-performance computing environments where SGI BDS is commonly deployed, this could result in access to proprietary research data, intellectual property, or system administration information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the service, as it allows for complete file system traversal without proper authentication or authorization checks.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and represents a classic example of path traversal attacks that have been consistently documented in security literature since the early days of networked computing. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as attackers can systematically enumerate and access files across the compromised system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical sophistication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with basic network access to gain significant system information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0632 focus primarily on immediate software updates and configuration hardening. Organizations should immediately upgrade to BDSPro versions that address this vulnerability, as SGI released patches specifically targeting the path traversal flaw. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to BDS services to only authorized clients and systems. Implementing proper access controls, disabling unnecessary services, and establishing network monitoring to detect anomalous file access patterns can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and the need for robust input validation in network services, particularly in environments handling sensitive data where the consequences of unauthorized access can be severe.