CVE-2002-1419 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
The upgrade of IRIX on Origin 3000 to 6.5.13 through 6.5.16 changes the MAC address of the system, which could modify intended access restrictions that are based on a MAC address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1419 represents a significant security flaw in the IRIX operating system upgrade process for Origin 3000 systems. This issue specifically affects versions 6.5.13 through 6.5.16 where the upgrade procedure automatically modifies the Media Access Control address of the system hardware. The MAC address serves as a fundamental identifier in network communications and is frequently used as a basis for access control mechanisms in enterprise environments. When this address changes during an upgrade, it can inadvertently disrupt existing network security policies that rely on MAC-based filtering and authentication.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of hardware identifiers during system maintenance operations. In network security contexts, MAC addresses are commonly employed as part of access control lists, firewall rules, and network segmentation policies. When the upgrade process modifies the MAC address without proper notification or configuration adjustment, it creates a scenario where authorized devices become unrecognized by the network infrastructure. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized access or denial of service conditions depending on how the network security policies are configured.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to organizations that depend on MAC address-based security controls for their network infrastructure. The automatic change of MAC addresses during system upgrades can cause legitimate network access restrictions to be bypassed or incorrectly applied, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain network access or preventing authorized users from accessing network resources. This issue is particularly concerning in environments where network security is tightly controlled and where MAC address filtering serves as a primary defense mechanism against unauthorized network access.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-259, which addresses the issue of weak password or cryptographic algorithms, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of legitimate credentials to gain access to systems. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including verifying that network access control lists and firewall rules are updated to reflect the new MAC addresses following system upgrades. Additionally, system administrators should establish procedures to document and validate MAC address changes during upgrade processes to prevent unexpected network access disruptions. The recommended approach involves maintaining a comprehensive inventory of all network devices and their corresponding MAC addresses, along with implementing automated monitoring systems to detect unauthorized MAC address changes that could indicate security incidents or configuration drift.