CVE-2002-1972 in Parallel Port Powerswitch
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Parallel port powerSwitch (aka pp_powerSwitch) 0.1 does not properly enforce access controls, which allows local users to access arbitrary ports.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1972 resides within the Parallel port powerSwitch utility version 0.1, commonly known as pp_powerSwitch, which represents a critical access control flaw in system-level hardware management software. This utility was designed to control power states of parallel port devices but failed to implement proper authorization mechanisms, creating a significant security gap that could be exploited by local attackers. The flaw manifests as an insufficient access control implementation that allows unauthorized users to bypass normal security boundaries and gain access to arbitrary parallel port resources. This represents a classic example of improper privilege management where the software does not adequately verify user credentials or permissions before granting access to hardware interfaces.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the software's failure to implement proper input validation and access control checks when processing requests for parallel port operations. The pp_powerSwitch utility operates at a low system level where it directly interfaces with hardware resources, making it particularly dangerous when access controls are improperly enforced. The vulnerability occurs because the software does not validate whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to access specific parallel port addresses or functions. This flaw aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control issues where systems fail to properly enforce authorization mechanisms. The weakness essentially allows any local user to manipulate parallel port configurations without proper authentication or privilege verification, creating a potential attack vector for privilege escalation or system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risk to systems running the affected software, particularly in environments where local user access is not strictly controlled. Local users who can execute the pp_powerSwitch utility can potentially manipulate hardware resources, access sensitive data through parallel port interfaces, or disrupt system operations by changing power states of connected devices. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as the parallel port interface often serves as a pathway to various system components including legacy devices, printers, and specialized hardware that may contain sensitive information or serve as entry points for further exploitation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain deeper system access or to interfere with critical hardware operations, making it particularly concerning in enterprise environments where parallel port devices might be connected to sensitive systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and access control improvements. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of the pp_powerSwitch utility or implementing alternative hardware management solutions that properly enforce access controls. System administrators should review and restrict local user privileges, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the utility and related hardware interfaces. The implementation of proper access control lists and mandatory access controls would help prevent unauthorized access to parallel port resources. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual parallel port activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation and access control enforcement in system-level software, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and least privilege principles to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their environments.