CVE-2002-2017 in Integration Technologies
Summary
by MITRE
sastcpd in SAS/Base 8.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code by setting the authprog environment variable to reference a malicious program, which is then executed by sastcpd.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2017 affects the sastcpd service component within SAS/Base 8.0, representing a critical local privilege escalation flaw that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication program execution mechanism within the SAS software ecosystem, where the service process fails to properly validate or sanitize environment variables before executing referenced programs. The flaw exists in the way sastcpd handles the authprog environment variable, which is designed to specify an authentication program for the service. When local users manipulate this environment variable to point to malicious executables, the service process executes these programs with elevated privileges, creating a direct pathway for code execution.
This vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, where the service process directly incorporates user-supplied environment variables into execution contexts without proper sanitization. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only local access to exploit, making it accessible to users who have basic system privileges. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution, as the compromised service process can potentially be leveraged to escalate privileges further or establish persistent access within the system. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure environment variable handling that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and input validation.
The security implications of CVE-2002-2017 align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' through the exploitation of service processes with weak security configurations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and potentially move laterally within network environments. The affected SAS/Base 8.0 installation creates an insecure execution environment where local users can effectively bypass normal access controls and execute malicious code with the privileges of the sastcpd service. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on SAS software for data processing and analytics, as the vulnerability can be exploited to compromise entire data processing pipelines and access sensitive information stored within or processed by these systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected SAS/Base 8.0 installations to address the insecure environment variable handling. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitoring of the sastcpd service process to detect unauthorized modifications to environment variables. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing proper privilege separation, and conducting regular security audits of system configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices around environment variable handling and demonstrates the critical need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments in enterprise software environments. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege monitoring to limit the potential impact of such local privilege escalation vulnerabilities.