CVE-2002-1786 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
SGI IRIX 6.5 through 6.5.14 applies a umask of 022 to root core dumps, which allows local users to read the core dumps and possibly obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1786 represents a critical security flaw in SGI IRIX operating systems versions 6.5 through 6.5.14 where the system incorrectly applies a umask value of 022 to core dump files generated by the root user. This configuration creates an unintended information disclosure risk that directly violates fundamental security principles of privilege separation and data protection. The umask setting controls the default permissions for newly created files, and when set to 022, it removes write permissions for group and others, but leaves read permissions intact. In this specific case, core dumps generated by root processes are created with world-readable permissions, exposing sensitive system information to unauthorized local users.
This vulnerability operates at the file system level and demonstrates a classic privilege escalation issue where the security controls designed to protect system integrity are bypassed through improper permission management. Core dumps contain complete memory snapshots of processes at the time of termination, including sensitive data such as passwords, cryptographic keys, system configuration details, and application-specific information that could be used for further attacks. The flaw specifically affects local users who have access to the system, as they can simply read the core dump files that are left in the file system without proper access controls. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and creates a persistent information disclosure channel that remains active until the system is rebooted or the core dump files are manually removed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable insights into system processes and memory structures that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability falls under information exposure, where sensitive information is made accessible to unauthorized entities. The attack vector is straightforward and requires only local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may not be trusted. The exposure of core dumps containing memory contents could reveal database connection strings, API keys, encryption keys, or other sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation, lateral movement, or persistence within the system. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 (Data from Local System) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can utilize the information gained from core dumps to craft more effective attacks against the system.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves modifying the system configuration to ensure that core dump files generated by root processes are created with appropriate permissions that prevent unauthorized access. System administrators should implement a custom umask setting that prevents world-read permissions on core dump files, typically by setting umask to 077 or using specific core dump configuration parameters available in IRIX systems. The recommended approach includes configuring the system to either disable core dumps for root processes or ensure that core dump files are created with restrictive permissions. Additionally, regular monitoring and cleanup of core dump files should be implemented as part of system maintenance procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing access controls and file system auditing to detect unauthorized access attempts to core dump directories. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege management and file system security configurations in preventing information disclosure attacks.