CVE-2003-0091 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the bsd_queue() function for lpq on Solaris 2.6 and 7 allows local users to gain root privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0091 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the bsd_queue() function of the lpq utility on Solaris 2.6 and 2.7 operating systems. This issue arises from improper input validation and memory management within the print queue query functionality that is commonly used for monitoring printer jobs. The lpq command serves as a standard interface for displaying print job information on Unix-like systems, making it a frequently accessed utility that presents an attractive target for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a stack-based buffer overflow condition that manifests when the bsd_queue() function processes input data without adequate bounds checking. When a local user executes the lpq command with maliciously crafted arguments, the function fails to properly validate the length of input parameters, causing data to overflow into adjacent memory locations on the stack. This overflow corrupts the return address and potentially other critical stack variables, allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability is specifically rooted in the Solaris operating system's implementation of the print queue functionality and demonstrates a classic example of improper buffer handling that maps to CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local users to achieve privilege escalation from their current user context to the root administrative level. This privilege elevation occurs because the lpq utility is typically installed with setuid root permissions, meaning it runs with elevated privileges regardless of which user executes it. Attackers can leverage this condition to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have access to the system, but the privilege escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access might be obtained through various attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of security controls that address both the immediate flaw and broader system protection. System administrators should immediately apply the relevant security patches provided by Sun Microsystems for Solaris 2.6 and 2.7 operating systems, as these patches contain the necessary code modifications to fix the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and bounds checking in all system utilities can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by reviewing setuid permissions on critical system utilities, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify other potential buffer overflow vulnerabilities. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, and T1548.001 which addresses privilege escalation using setuid binaries, making it a clear example of how system-level vulnerabilities can be exploited for administrative access.