CVE-2002-1613 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ps in HP Tru64 UNIX 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1613 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ps command 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 Tru64 UNIX platform. The ps command, which is fundamental for process monitoring and system administration, becomes a vector for privilege escalation when exploited by local attackers. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of command line arguments, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers stack-based buffer overflow scenarios, both of which are classified under the broader category of memory safety issues. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires only local system access, making it exploitable by users who already have login privileges but without elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire system integrity and confidentiality. When a local user successfully exploits this buffer overflow, they can elevate their privileges to root level, effectively gaining complete control over the system. This represents a severe security risk as it undermines the fundamental principle of least privilege and allows attackers to modify system files, install malicious software, monitor network traffic, and access sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users might have legitimate access to the system but should not possess administrative privileges. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specific command line arguments that trigger the buffer overflow condition, allowing the attacker to overwrite return addresses or other critical memory locations to redirect program execution flow. This technique aligns with ATT&CK tactic T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters for execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1613 require immediate system updates and patches from HP to address the underlying buffer overflow condition in the ps command. Organizations should prioritize applying the official security patches released by HP for affected Tru64 UNIX versions, as these updates typically include proper bounds checking and memory management improvements. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting local user access to system commands and monitoring for unusual ps command usage patterns. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting local user accounts from having unnecessary access to system monitoring utilities. Security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect and alert on potential exploitation attempts, particularly those involving command line arguments that might trigger buffer overflow conditions. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, administrators can consider implementing process monitoring and privilege separation techniques to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other system utilities and applications, as buffer overflow vulnerabilities often occur in similar patterns across different software components.