CVE-2002-0912 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
in.uucpd UUCP server in Debian GNU/Linux 2.2, and possibly other operating systems, does not properly terminate long strings, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service, possibly due to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0912 affects the in.uucpd UUCP server component within Debian GNU/Linux 2.2 operating system and potentially other Unix-like systems. This issue resides in the User Identification and Authentication Protocol implementation that handles incoming connections through the UUCP (Unix to Unix Copy Protocol) service. The UUCP protocol was historically used for communication between Unix systems, particularly for batch processing and file transfers across networks. The in.uucpd daemon serves as the server-side component that listens for incoming UUCP connections and processes requests from remote systems.
The technical flaw manifests in improper string handling within the UUCP server implementation where long input strings are not properly terminated or validated before processing. This deficiency creates a potential buffer overflow condition when the server receives unusually long input data, particularly in authentication or command parameters. When the daemon attempts to process these extended strings without adequate bounds checking, it may overwrite adjacent memory regions, leading to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability specifically targets the string handling mechanisms that process user identifiers, authentication credentials, or command parameters sent over the network connection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more serious exploitation scenarios. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to disrupt the UUCP service, causing system unavailability for legitimate users who rely on this protocol for system administration tasks. The buffer overflow condition may result in the daemon crashing and restarting, creating service interruptions that could affect system maintenance operations. In more severe cases, if the overflow occurs in a predictable manner, it might allow attackers to inject malicious code into the process memory space, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where UUCP services remain enabled and accessible over the network, representing a significant security risk in environments where legacy protocols are still in use.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system hardening and service management. The primary recommendation involves disabling the UUCP service entirely if it is not required for system operations, as the protocol represents a legacy technology with limited modern utility. System administrators should also apply security patches or updates from Debian security repositories that address this specific buffer overflow condition in the in.uucpd implementation. Network-level protections can be implemented through firewall rules that block access to the UUCP service ports, typically port 117 for UUCP connections. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual string length patterns in network traffic can help detect exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that could enable both denial of service and potential privilege escalation scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege by ensuring that only authorized systems have access to UUCP services and that any remaining UUCP installations are properly configured with appropriate access controls and monitoring mechanisms.