CVE-2002-0884 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in in.rarpd (ARP server) on Solaris, Caldera UnixWare and Open UNIX, and possibly other operating systems, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format strings that are not properly handled in the functions (1) syserr and (2) error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0884 represents a critical format string vulnerability affecting the in.rarpd daemon on multiple unix operating systems including Solaris, Caldera UnixWare, and Open UNIX. This flaw exists within the network service's handling of error reporting functions, specifically the syserr and error functions that process system error messages. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of format specifiers in user-supplied input, creating a pathway for remote code execution through carefully crafted malicious input that exploits the format string handling mechanism. The affected systems are particularly vulnerable because the in.rarpd service operates as a network daemon that listens for Address Resolution Protocol requests, making it accessible to remote attackers without authentication requirements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the in.rarpd daemon processes malformed input through the vulnerable syserr and error functions, which directly use user-provided data as format strings without proper sanitization or validation. When these functions encounter format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x in untrusted input, they can be manipulated to read from arbitrary memory locations or execute arbitrary code on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-134 which specifically addresses the use of format strings inappropriately, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in network services. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to leverage the daemon's network accessibility to deliver malicious format strings that can overwrite memory locations or execute shellcode directly within the process context.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0884 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and privilege escalation opportunities. Since in.rarpd typically runs with elevated privileges as a network daemon, successful exploitation could provide attackers with root-level access to affected systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1068 which addresses privilege escalation through local exploits. The affected systems are particularly at risk because these older unix variants often lack modern security mitigations such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, or non-executable stack protections that would otherwise prevent successful exploitation. Network administrators should note that the vulnerability affects multiple operating system families, indicating a widespread issue that requires coordinated patching across various unix environments.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected systems through vendor-provided security updates, which would address the improper format string handling in the vulnerable functions. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected daemon, disable unnecessary network services, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the in.rarpd daemon with minimal required privileges, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify other potential format string vulnerabilities in legacy network services. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in network-facing services and highlights the need for security-conscious development practices that prevent format string vulnerabilities from being introduced into system software components.