CVE-2002-1998 in UnixWare
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in rpc.cmsd in SCO UnixWare 7.1.1 and Open UNIX 8.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a long parameter to rtable_create (procedure 21).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1998 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the rpc.cmsd service component of SCO UnixWare 7.1.1 and Open UNIX 8.0.0 operating systems. This issue resides in the remote procedure call implementation that handles the rtable_create function, specifically procedure 21, which processes incoming parameters without adequate bounds checking. The flaw manifests when a remote attacker crafts a malicious input parameter that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The rpc.cmsd service operates with elevated privileges as part of the network management infrastructure, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed remote procedure call that sends an overly long parameter to the rtable_create procedure. When the service processes this malformed input, the buffer overflow corrupts the stack memory structure, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the rpc.cmsd process, which typically runs with system-level access. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments. According to ATT&CK framework category T1068, this vulnerability represents a privilege escalation technique that leverages remote code execution capabilities, while T1203 falls under the category of exploitation for execution through remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it can lead to complete system takeover and persistent access within the affected network. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can establish a foothold for further reconnaissance and lateral movement throughout the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems running SCO UnixWare 7.1.1 and Open UNIX 8.0.0, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments during the early 2000s, making this a significant concern for organizations maintaining legacy systems. The remote nature of the attack means that defenders have limited opportunity to detect or prevent the exploitation, as the attack can originate from any network location without requiring physical access or prior authentication. Organizations with systems running these affected versions face potential data breaches, system downtime, and complete loss of control over affected machines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1998 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from SCO or through third-party security vendors, as this vulnerability was addressed through official security updates. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the rpc.cmsd service, particularly by blocking UDP and TCP ports associated with the service. System administrators should disable unnecessary RPC services and implement proper input validation controls at network boundaries. Monitoring for unusual RPC traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected services or applications that may share similar buffer handling flaws. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network management applications that depend on the rpc.cmsd service functionality.