CVE-2002-1606 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in HP Tru64 UNIX 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f allow local users to gain privileges via (1) lpc, (2) lpd, (3) lpq, (4) lpr, or (5) lprm.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1606 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple versions of HP Tru64 UNIX operating systems including versions 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f. This issue stems from multiple buffer overflow conditions within core printing system utilities that are integral to the operating system's functionality. The affected programs include lpc, lpd, lpq, lpr, and lprm which are all part of the Line Printer Daemon (LPD) subsystem responsible for managing print jobs and printer communications within the Unix environment. These buffer overflows occur when the system processes input data without proper bounds checking, creating opportunities for malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of these buffer overflows involves improper handling of user-supplied input within the printing daemon processes. When local users provide specially crafted input to any of these five utilities, the programs fail to validate the length of input data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This fundamental flaw allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, meaning an attacker with legitimate system access can exploit it to escalate privileges to root level. This privilege escalation occurs through the manipulation of memory structures that control program execution and system access controls, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it affects the fundamental integrity of the printing subsystem and potentially the entire operating system. Local users who can access these printing utilities can leverage the buffer overflows to gain elevated system privileges, which could then be used to modify system files, install backdoors, or access sensitive data. The widespread nature of the affected versions means that organizations running any of these HP Tru64 UNIX releases are potentially exposed to this vulnerability, creating significant risk for enterprise environments where multiple users have local access to systems. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations must apply the official HP security patches released for these specific Tru64 UNIX versions to address the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement additional controls such as restricting local access to printing utilities and monitoring for suspicious activity within the LPD subsystem. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that enables privilege escalation attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be categorized under T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the system to gain elevated privileges, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive cybersecurity operations.