CVE-2002-1980 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Volume Manager daemon (vold) of Sun Solaris 2.5.1 through 8 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1980 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Volume Manager daemon component of Sun Solaris operating systems spanning versions 2.5.1 through 8. This daemon, known as vold, serves as a core system service responsible for managing storage volumes and device handling within the Solaris environment. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the daemon processes input data from local users without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue stems from the fact that it requires local system access but can be exploited to gain root-level control over the affected system.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. In the context of vold, this flaw likely manifests when the daemon receives malformed input through various communication channels or device management interfaces. The daemon's operation involves handling volume management requests from local processes, and the buffer overflow can occur during string operations or data parsing within these interactions. Attackers can manipulate the input to exceed the allocated buffer space, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical memory structures that control program execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1980 extends beyond simple code execution as it provides a pathway for local users to escalate their privileges to the root level within the Solaris environment. This represents a significant security risk since the Volume Manager daemon typically runs with elevated privileges necessary for storage management operations. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially enabling them to modify system files, install malicious software, create new user accounts, or disable security mechanisms. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the original CVE description, which suggests that the vulnerability may be present in multiple input handling paths within the daemon, making it particularly challenging to defend against through simple input validation measures.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping it to privilege escalation techniques where local users leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access. The attack surface for this vulnerability includes all local accounts on affected Solaris systems, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users might not have legitimate administrative access. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management strategies to address this vulnerability, as Sun Microsystems released security patches for affected Solaris versions. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as discretionary access controls, monitoring for unusual daemon behavior, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.
The remediation approach for CVE-2002-1980 requires immediate application of vendor security patches provided by Sun Microsystems, which would address the underlying buffer overflow conditions in the vold daemon implementation. System administrators should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patch deployment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in system services, particularly those running with elevated privileges. Organizations should implement regular security audits of critical system daemons and ensure that all software components undergo rigorous security testing before deployment. This vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components, as unpatched systems remain vulnerable to exploitation by attackers who may have discovered the vulnerability through various reconnaissance methods.