CVE-2002-1619 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the FC client for IBM AIX 4.3.x allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash and core dump).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1619 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Fibre Channel (FC) client implementation of IBM AIX operating system version 4.3.x. This issue specifically affects the communication protocols used in storage area networks where AIX systems interact with FC storage devices through the Fibre Channel protocol. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of network packets or data structures that are received from remote FC clients, creating a scenario where malicious input can exceed the allocated memory boundaries and corrupt adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is particularly dangerous because it can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The affected IBM AIX 4.3.x environment operates within enterprise storage infrastructures where reliable network communication is essential for data integrity and system availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the FC client component that handles incoming network traffic from Fibre Channel initiators. When a remote attacker sends specially crafted packets or malformed data structures to the AIX system's FC client, the system fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This flaw allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access or local system credentials, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where AIX systems communicate with storage devices across Fibre Channel networks. The specific nature of the vulnerability means that successful exploitation results in system crashes and generation of core dump files, effectively causing a denial of service condition that disrupts storage connectivity and system operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1619 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential data loss and extended downtime within enterprise storage environments. Organizations running IBM AIX 4.3.x systems that are connected to Fibre Channel storage arrays face significant risks when this vulnerability is exploited, as the denial of service can affect critical business applications that depend on storage availability. The core dump generation indicates that the system has encountered a critical error state, which may require system rebooting and potential data recovery procedures. In large enterprise environments, this vulnerability could impact multiple systems simultaneously if attackers target the FC network infrastructure, potentially causing cascading failures across storage networks. The vulnerability also poses risks to compliance and regulatory requirements, as system unavailability may violate service level agreements and data protection mandates. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries target system resources to prevent legitimate access to services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1619 should prioritize immediate patching of affected IBM AIX systems with the vendor-supplied security updates. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running IBM AIX 4.3.x that have FC client functionality enabled and are connected to Fibre Channel networks. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, utilizing firewall rules to restrict FC protocol traffic to authorized endpoints only. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual packet sizes or malformed FC protocol data. The implementation of intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor Fibre Channel protocol anomalies can provide early warning of potential attacks. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing redundant storage paths and failover mechanisms to minimize the impact of potential exploitation, ensuring that critical applications can maintain access to storage resources even if one path becomes compromised. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the broader storage infrastructure.