CVE-2003-0028 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the xdrmem_getbytes() function, and possibly other functions, of XDR (external data representation) libraries derived from SunRPC, including libnsl, libc, glibc, and dietlibc, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via certain integer values in length fields, a different vulnerability than CVE-2002-0391.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0028 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the external data representation xdrmem_getbytes() function and potentially other related functions within SunRPC-derived libraries. This flaw exists in fundamental system libraries including libnsl, libc, glibc, and dietlibc, making it pervasive across numerous Unix-like operating systems and applications that rely on RPC mechanisms for network communication. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of length fields in XDR data structures, where maliciously crafted integer values can cause arithmetic overflow conditions that ultimately lead to memory corruption and potential code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the xdrmem_getbytes() function which processes data received through XDR mechanisms. When processing certain data structures, the function fails to properly validate length parameters, allowing attackers to supply integer values that, when used in arithmetic operations, overflow the integer boundaries. This overflow condition can result in buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory regions, potentially allowing remote code execution. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at a low-level system library level, meaning that any application utilizing these libraries for network communication becomes vulnerable to exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0028 extends across numerous network services that depend on RPC mechanisms, including but not limited to NFS (Network File System), NIS (Network Information Service), and other services that utilize SunRPC for inter-process communication. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted network packets containing malicious length fields that trigger the integer overflow during XDR data processing. This allows for remote code execution with the privileges of the affected service, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions, and represents a significant concern for network security as it enables attackers to bypass traditional security measures by exploiting fundamental library functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected system libraries, with system administrators prioritizing updates to glibc, libc, libnsl, and dietlibc components across all network-facing systems. The implementation of input validation mechanisms within applications that utilize RPC libraries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though this approach is less reliable than core library patches. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the exposure of vulnerable services, while monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns may aid in detecting exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system libraries and the potential for low-level library flaws to create widespread security implications across entire computing environments. This vulnerability also correlates with ATT&CK technique T1055, which covers process injection and code execution techniques, as exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution through memory corruption vulnerabilities.