CVE-2002-1607 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ypmatch in HP Tru64 UNIX 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f allows local users to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1607 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ypmatch utility of HP Tru64 UNIX operating systems. This issue affects multiple versions including 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f, indicating a widespread problem that has persisted across several iterations of the operating system. The ypmatch utility is part of the NIS (Network Information Service) framework, which provides distributed network services for managing user accounts, network configuration, and other system information. This utility specifically handles queries to NIS maps and is designed to match keys against values in NIS databases, making it a critical component for system authentication and network services.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from improper input validation within the ypmatch program's handling of command-line arguments or NIS map data. When the program processes user-supplied input without adequate bounds checking, it allows an attacker to overflow a fixed-size buffer allocated on the stack. This overflow occurs because the program does not properly validate the length of input data before copying it into memory buffers, creating a condition where additional data can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and other critical program state information. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, which is categorized under CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. This type of flaw directly enables attackers to manipulate program execution flow through controlled memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for systems running affected HP Tru64 UNIX versions, as it provides local users with the capability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. Since the vulnerability is local in nature, it requires physical or authenticated access to the system, but once exploited, it can allow attackers to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire system. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious input parameters that exceed buffer boundaries, leading to stack corruption and eventual code execution. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically targets local privilege escalation scenarios. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data compromise, system denial of service, and unauthorized access to sensitive network information that NIS services typically manage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1607 should focus on immediate system patching and operational hardening measures. HP released security patches and updates to address this vulnerability in affected versions of Tru64 UNIX, which should be deployed immediately across all impacted systems. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including restricting local access to sensitive utilities, monitoring for unusual command-line patterns, and implementing proper input validation for all NIS-related services. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable components within their Tru64 UNIX environments. The remediation process should include not only patch deployment but also thorough testing to ensure that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing NIS services and applications that depend on ypmatch functionality. Regular security auditing and monitoring of system logs for signs of exploitation attempts should be implemented as part of ongoing security operations to detect and respond to similar vulnerabilities that may emerge in the future.