CVE-2002-1323 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
Safe.pm 2.0.7 and earlier, when used in Perl 5.8.0 and earlier, may allow attackers to break out of safe compartments in (1) Safe::reval or (2) Safe::rdo using a redefined @_ variable, which is not reset between successive calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1323 represents a critical security flaw in the Safe.pm module version 2.0.7 and earlier, which was widely used in Perl applications for creating restricted execution environments. This issue specifically affects Perl versions 5.8.0 and earlier, where the Safe module's compartmentalization mechanisms failed to properly handle variable redefinition during successive function calls. The flaw resides in how the Safe module manages the @_ array variable, which serves as the default array for subroutine arguments in Perl, and this weakness directly undermines the security isolation that the module is designed to provide.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the variable within the Safe::reval and Safe::rdo functions, which are used to evaluate code within restricted compartments. When an attacker can manipulate the variable through redefinition, they can effectively bypass the security boundaries that the Safe module establishes. The root cause occurs because the @_ variable is not properly reset between successive calls to these functions, allowing malicious code to maintain access to variables and references that should be isolated within their respective compartments. This behavior creates a persistent attack vector where an attacker can leverage the state from one execution context to influence subsequent executions, effectively breaking out of the intended safe environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of applications that rely on Safe.pm for code execution isolation. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, access sensitive data, or perform unauthorized operations within applications that trust the Safe module to provide security boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications or systems where untrusted code is evaluated, as it allows attackers to escape from sandboxed environments that are meant to prevent malicious code from accessing system resources or performing harmful operations. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the core security assumptions that developers make when implementing restricted execution environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Safe.pm module to version 2.0.8 or later, which includes proper handling of the @_ variable between successive calls. System administrators should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as runtime monitoring and code analysis tools that can detect suspicious patterns in code evaluation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-242, which describes the weakness of using potentially dangerous functions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for executing malicious code through interpreted languages. Organizations should also review their codebases for any usage of Safe::reval or Safe::rdo functions and consider alternative security models such as containerization or more modern sandboxing approaches that provide stronger isolation guarantees. Given the age of this vulnerability, it is crucial for legacy systems to either upgrade to supported Perl versions or implement comprehensive security controls to prevent exploitation.