CVE-2002-1615 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 execute arbitrary code via (1) msgchk or (2) .upd..loader.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1615 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting multiple versions of HP Tru64 UNIX operating systems including versions 5.1a, 5.1, 5.0a, 4.0g, and 4.0f. This flaw resides in the system's message checking utilities and loader components, creating a significant security risk for systems running these specific operating system versions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, which specifically addresses the condition where a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The affected components msgchk and .upd..loader are critical system utilities that handle message processing and system updates respectively, making them prime targets for exploitation by malicious actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the msgchk and .upd..loader utilities. When these programs process user-supplied data or system messages, they fail to properly bounds-check the input before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This programming oversight allows attackers to overflow the designated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data. The local privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability means that an attacker with minimal system access can leverage these buffer overflows to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard security controls and gaining unauthorized access to system resources. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local user access, making it difficult to detect and prevent through network-based security measures alone.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1615 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to affected systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes local privilege escalation techniques, and specifically targets the execution of malicious payloads through system utilities. Systems running vulnerable HP Tru64 UNIX versions become susceptible to complete compromise, allowing attackers to modify system files, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to system-wide breaches, particularly in environments where these operating systems are used for critical infrastructure or sensitive data processing. Organizations utilizing these older system versions face heightened risk due to the lack of modern security features and the absence of current security patches, making the exploitation of such vulnerabilities particularly dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1615 should prioritize immediate system updates and patches from HP, as these vulnerabilities were addressed through official security releases. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit local user access to critical system utilities, thereby reducing the attack surface. The principle of least privilege should be enforced through proper user account management and system configuration, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to system modification utilities. Additionally, system monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior in message processing and system update activities, as these are the primary attack vectors for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that the system utilities have not been tampered with and that appropriate access controls remain in place. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date system software and implementing comprehensive security policies that address both network-based and local system vulnerabilities.