CVE-2003-0144 in lprold
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the lprm command in the lprold lpr package on SuSE 7.1 through 7.3, OpenBSD 3.2 and earlier, and possibly other operating systems, allows local users to gain root privileges via long command line arguments such as (1) request ID or (2) user name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0144 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the lprm command of the lprold lpr package, affecting multiple operating systems including SuSE 7.1 through 7.3 and OpenBSD 3.2 and earlier versions. This vulnerability resides in the print spooling subsystem and demonstrates a classic security flaw where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption. The lprm command, designed for removing print jobs from the printer queue, fails to properly validate the length of command line arguments, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to escalate privileges to root level access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the lprm command's argument parsing routine. When users provide excessively long command line arguments such as request IDs or user names, the program attempts to store these values in fixed-size buffers without adequate length verification. This buffer overflow condition occurs because the implementation does not enforce maximum length constraints on input parameters, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability specifically targets the command line argument processing mechanism where the program does not perform sufficient validation before copying user-supplied data into internal buffers, creating a condition that can be exploited to overwrite the stack and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides local attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Since the vulnerability requires only local access to exploit, it represents a significant risk in multi-user environments where unauthorized users might gain access to systems through legitimate user accounts or other attack vectors. The privilege escalation from standard user to root level access enables attackers to modify system files, install malicious software, create new user accounts, and potentially access sensitive data. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the security model of affected operating systems, particularly in environments where multiple users share the same system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0144 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability represents a well-known and exploitable condition that has been documented for over two decades. System administrators should prioritize updating the lprold lpr package to versions that include proper input validation and buffer size checking mechanisms. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack segments can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation leads to privilege escalation attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual command line argument patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique of privilege escalation through local exploitation. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated print spooling components, as this type of vulnerability often remains undetected in legacy systems. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive system hardening measures and regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in other system components.