CVE-2002-0652 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
xfsmd for IRIX 6.5 through 6.5.16 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters that are not properly filtered from several calls to the popen() function, such as export_fs().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0652 resides within the xfsmd component of SGI IRIX operating systems version 6.5 through 6.5.16. This flaw represents a classic command injection vulnerability that exploits improper input validation mechanisms within the system's file system management utilities. The xfsmd daemon serves as a critical component for managing XFS file systems and handles various administrative functions including the export_fs() operation that forms the primary attack vector for this vulnerability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input before being passed to the popen() function, which is a system call that executes shell commands. When the export_fs() function processes user-provided parameters containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters are not properly escaped or filtered. This allows attackers to inject malicious shell commands that get executed with the privileges of the xfsmd daemon process, typically running with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the daemon receives input through network interfaces or administrative commands that ultimately funnel into shell execution contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on target systems, effectively gaining full control over the affected IRIX machines. The privilege escalation aspect means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where IRIX systems are deployed. Given that IRIX was commonly used in high-performance computing environments and enterprise applications, the potential for widespread damage increases significantly.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-78, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.004 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell." The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of proper command construction and shell escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest IRIX versions, implementing network segmentation to limit access to affected services, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. Additionally, administrative best practices should mandate that all external inputs be properly sanitized and that privilege separation be enforced to minimize the impact of potential command injection attacks.