CVE-2002-1598 in Mlink
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflows in Computer Associates MLink (CA-MLink) 6.5 and earlier may allow local users to execute arbitrary code via long command line arguments to (1) mlclear or (2) mllock.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1598 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Computer Associates MLink version 6.5 and earlier installations. This security weakness specifically affects two executable components named mlclear and mllock which are part of the CA-MLink software suite designed for managing and monitoring various system resources. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle excessively long command line arguments passed to these utilities. When local users provide command line parameters exceeding the allocated buffer space, the software fails to perform proper bounds checking, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, and potentially gain unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides local attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and compromise the integrity of the affected system. Since the exploit requires only local access to the system, attackers who already have user-level credentials can leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges without requiring additional authentication mechanisms. The buffer overflow condition creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious code into the memory space of the vulnerable processes, potentially allowing them to manipulate system behavior, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access. This weakness particularly affects systems where CA-MLink is installed and used in environments where local user access might be compromised or where privilege escalation attacks are a concern.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1598 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected CA-MLink software to version 6.6 or later, which contains fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local user access to the affected executables, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and monitoring for unusual command line argument patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities and defense evasion by potentially corrupting system memory to avoid detection. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized local users from exploiting this weakness. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of untrusted binaries that might attempt to exploit similar buffer overflow conditions in other system components.