CVE-2002-2270 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the ied command in HP-UX 10.10, 10.20, and 11.0 allows local users to view "normally invisible data" via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2270 represents a security flaw within the ied command utility on HP-UX operating systems version 10.10, 10.20, and 11.0. This issue falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities where local attackers can potentially access data that should normally remain hidden or restricted. The ied command, which is part of HP-UX's system administration tools, is designed to provide interactive editing capabilities for system files and configuration data. However, this particular vulnerability creates an unexpected pathway for unauthorized data access that bypasses normal security controls. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may stem from improper access control mechanisms or inadequate data sanitization within the command's implementation. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient validation of user permissions or improper handling of file access requests that should be restricted to privileged users only. This vulnerability represents a significant concern for system administrators as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of access control and data confidentiality. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to view "normally invisible data" could potentially expose sensitive system configurations, user credentials, or other privileged information that should remain protected from local users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves a flaw in how the ied command processes file access requests or handles permission checks during data retrieval operations. When local users execute the ied command against certain files or system resources, the underlying code fails to properly enforce access restrictions that would normally prevent viewing of restricted data. This could manifest through improper validation of file access permissions, inadequate input sanitization, or flawed privilege escalation mechanisms within the command's execution context. The vulnerability may also involve buffer overflows or memory access issues that allow attackers to bypass normal data protection boundaries. From a cybersecurity perspective, this type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and potentially CWE-264, dealing with permissions, privileges, and access control. The attack vectors remain unspecified, suggesting that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple pathways including direct command execution, file manipulation, or through indirect means that leverage other system weaknesses to gain access to restricted information. The root cause likely involves inadequate security testing of the command's access control mechanisms or insufficient consideration of privilege levels during command implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2270 extends significantly beyond immediate data exposure, as local users who can exploit this vulnerability gain access to information that may be critical for system compromise or further attacks. The ability to view "normally invisible data" could reveal system configuration details, user account information, or other sensitive metadata that would otherwise remain protected. This information disclosure creates opportunities for attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities, identify potential targets for privilege escalation, or gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local access might be granted to users who should not have visibility into system internals. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability could enable threat actors to map system structures, identify weak points in security configurations, or discover potential paths for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's presence in multiple HP-UX versions (10.10, 10.20, and 11.0) indicates a widespread issue that affects a significant portion of HP-UX installations, making it a high-priority concern for system administrators. The operational risk increases when considering that local access is often easier to obtain than remote access, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers who may already have access to the system through other means. This type of information disclosure vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more serious attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2270 should focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures to prevent exploitation. The primary recommendation involves applying the appropriate security patches released by HP to address the specific vulnerability in the ied command implementation. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of system access controls to identify any other potential pathways for information disclosure. Implementing proper privilege separation and ensuring that the ied command operates with minimal necessary permissions can help reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system files and configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in system utilities, making it a valuable lesson for developers and security teams in designing secure command-line tools. Network segmentation and access control policies should be reviewed to ensure that local access is appropriately restricted and monitored. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system utilities and applications. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability may impact requirements for data protection and access control as defined in various cybersecurity frameworks and standards. Organizations should also consider implementing automated systems for tracking and managing security patches across their HP-UX environments to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular security assessments of system components.