CVE-2002-0901 in Amanda
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Advanced Maryland Automatic Network Disk Archiver (AMANDA) 2.3.0.4 allow (1) remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long commands to the amindexd daemon, or certain local users to execute arbitrary code via long command line arguments to the programs (2) amcheck, (3) amgetidx, (4) amtrmidx, (5) createindex-dump, or (6) createindex-gnutar.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0901 represents a critical buffer overflow issue within the Advanced Maryland Automatic Network Disk Archiver (AMANDA) version 2.3.0.4 software suite. This flaw affects multiple components of the system including the amindexd daemon and several utility programs such as amcheck, amgetidx, amtrmidx, createindex-dump, and createindex-gnutar. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle excessively long command strings, creating opportunities for malicious code execution. The flaw operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121 which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that leverage the same underlying buffer overflow mechanism. Remote attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending overly long commands to the amindexd daemon, which operates as a network service and therefore accepts external connections. Local users can also exploit the same vulnerability by providing excessively long command line arguments to the affected utility programs. Both attack scenarios result in the same fundamental outcome where memory corruption allows attackers to overwrite return addresses and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected processes. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the affected programs often run with elevated privileges, potentially enabling attackers to gain root access to systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data integrity breaches. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow allows attackers to execute malicious code that can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or perform reconnaissance activities. The affected programs are typically part of backup and archive operations, making them critical system components that attackers may target to gain access to sensitive data or disrupt backup operations. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of AMANDA, which is widely used for enterprise-level backup management, meaning that exploitation could potentially compromise multiple systems within an organization's infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0901 should focus on immediate patching of the affected AMANDA software to version 2.4.0 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the amindexd daemon and restrict command line argument inputs to verified and sanitized values. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running affected programs with minimal necessary permissions rather than elevated privileges. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual command length patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 which addresses exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing security controls against these attack patterns.