CVE-2002-2093 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
The Video Control Panel on SGI O2/IRIX 6.5, when the Default Input is set to "Output Video", allows attackers to access a console session by running videoout then videoin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2093 represents a critical security flaw in the SGI O2 workstation running IRIX 6.5 operating system. This issue resides within the Video Control Panel component, which serves as the graphical interface for managing video input and output configurations. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and privilege escalation mechanisms within the video subsystem, creating an unexpected pathway for unauthorized system access. The flaw specifically manifests when the system's Default Input setting is configured to "Output Video", a configuration that should logically restrict video input operations but instead provides a backdoor for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a design oversight in the video control subsystem where the videoout command can be executed without proper authentication mechanisms, followed by the videoin command that establishes a console session. This sequence effectively bypasses the normal authentication procedures that should prevent unauthorized access to system console functionality. The vulnerability operates at the system level rather than at the application level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to gain root privileges or execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control and improper privilege management, which aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on SGI O2 systems for critical computing tasks. The ability to access console sessions without proper authentication means that attackers can potentially gain full control over the system, execute commands, modify system files, or even install malicious software. The attack vector is relatively simple and does not require sophisticated tools or extensive knowledge of the system architecture, making it particularly dangerous for environments where physical security might be compromised. This vulnerability could be exploited by both internal and external threat actors, with potential impacts ranging from data theft to complete system compromise and denial of service conditions.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2093 should focus on immediate configuration changes and system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately disable or reconfigure the problematic video control panel settings to prevent the Default Input from being set to "Output Video". System administrators should also implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for all video subsystem components. The recommended approach includes applying vendor patches or workarounds as provided in the SGI security advisories, implementing network segmentation to limit access to these systems, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized console access attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to system console functions. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing and the need for proper access control implementation in all system components, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. The issue also highlights the necessity of regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar flaws in legacy systems.