CVE-2002-1199 in OpenServer
Summary
by MITRE
The getdbm procedure in ypxfrd allows local users to read arbitrary files, and remote attackers to read databases outside /var/yp, via a directory traversal and symlink attack on the domain and map arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1199 resides within the ypxfrd daemon, a component of the Yellow Pages (YP) or NIS (Network Information Service) system that facilitates distributed network information services. This critical flaw affects systems implementing the Network Information Service which was widely used in Unix-based environments for centralized management of network configuration data including user accounts, host names, and network maps. The vulnerability manifests in the getdbm procedure which handles database file operations for NIS maps, creating a pathway for both local and remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information from unauthorized locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on directory traversal and symbolic link manipulation techniques that exploit improper input validation in the domain and map argument handling. When ypxfrd processes requests for NIS maps, it fails to properly sanitize the domain and map parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious input that traverses the filesystem hierarchy using directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\.. and subsequently follows symbolic links to access files outside the intended /var/yp directory structure. This flaw operates at the core of the NIS service architecture where the daemon assumes all incoming requests are legitimate and properly formatted without adequate validation of the file paths being accessed.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1199 extends significantly beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to access sensitive system files that may contain critical network configuration data, user authentication information, or other privileged data that should remain restricted to authorized users only. Local users can leverage this vulnerability to read arbitrary files on the system, potentially gaining access to password files, configuration files, or other sensitive data that would normally be protected by standard file permissions. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to access databases stored outside the designated NIS directory structure, potentially allowing them to retrieve information from other parts of the filesystem that should be isolated from NIS operations.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and inadequate access control mechanisms within network services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering files and directories and T1565.001 for data from local system. The vulnerability demonstrates how legacy network services implemented without proper security considerations can create persistent attack vectors that remain exploitable for years after their initial discovery, as evidenced by the long timeline from initial discovery to the present day.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1199 should include immediate patching of affected systems with updated NIS implementations that properly validate and sanitize all input parameters before processing file operations. System administrators should implement strict file access controls and ensure that NIS service operations run with minimal required privileges to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to NIS services to only trusted hosts, while regular security audits should monitor for unauthorized NIS map access patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider migrating away from legacy NIS implementations toward more secure modern alternatives such as LDAP or centralized authentication systems that provide better access control mechanisms and are actively maintained with regular security updates.