CVE-2003-0578 in U2 Universe
Summary
by MITRE
cci_dir in IBM U2 UniVerse 10.0.0.9 and earlier creates hard links and unlinks files as root, which allows local users to gain privileges by deleting and overwriting arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0578 resides within the cci_dir component of IBM U2 UniVerse database management system version 10.0.0.9 and earlier. This flaw represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper file handling mechanisms within the application's directory management functionality. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the cci_dir utility executes operations that involve creating hard links and unlinking files while running with root privileges, creating a dangerous attack surface for local malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of privilege separation and file system manipulation. When cci_dir processes directory operations, it performs file system actions with elevated root permissions, including the creation of hard links and subsequent unlinking of files. This design flaw allows local users to manipulate the system in such a way that they can delete and overwrite arbitrary files on the system. The vulnerability operates through a race condition or direct manipulation of file system operations that should normally be restricted to privileged processes.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to achieve privilege escalation from their current user context to root privileges, which represents a severe security compromise. The ability to delete and overwrite arbitrary files creates potential for data destruction, information disclosure, and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to remove critical system files, overwrite configuration files, or manipulate the system in ways that could lead to persistent access or complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects all local users of the affected IBM U2 UniVerse system, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where user isolation is not properly enforced.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which describes permissions, privileges, and access control issues, specifically focusing on the improper handling of file system operations with elevated privileges. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires local system access and involves manipulating file system operations that should be restricted to privileged processes. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability represents a classic case of privilege escalation through improper file handling, where the system fails to properly validate or restrict file operations that occur in privileged contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the affected IBM U2 UniVerse versions to the latest available security updates from IBM. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions and access controls to limit the ability of local users to manipulate system files. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious file system operations and implementing privilege separation mechanisms that prevent applications from running with unnecessary root privileges. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper privilege management in database applications, particularly those handling sensitive system operations. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their database environments to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other applications or system components.