CVE-2003-0583 in BRU
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Backup and Restore Utility for Unix (BRU) 17.0 and earlier, when running setuid, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0583 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Backup and Restore Utility for Unix (BRU) software version 17.0 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests when the utility operates with setuid privileges, creating a dangerous condition where local attackers can exploit the vulnerability to gain elevated system access. The BRU utility, designed for system backup and restoration operations, becomes a vector for privilege escalation when improperly handling command line arguments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the BRU utility's argument parsing mechanism. When the utility processes command line arguments, it fails to properly bounds-check the length of input parameters, allowing an attacker to provide an excessively long argument string that overflows the allocated buffer space. This buffer overflow occurs in memory regions that contain critical program control structures, including return addresses and function pointers, which can be overwritten to redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises system integrity and security posture. Attackers exploiting this flaw can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the BRU utility process, which typically runs with elevated permissions due to its setuid nature. This presents a significant risk to system administrators who rely on backup utilities for data protection, as the very tools meant to safeguard systems become potential attack vectors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no network connectivity or remote access, making it exploitable through local system compromise alone.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and represents a classic example of privilege escalation through insecure program execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under the 'Privilege Escalation' tactic, specifically utilizing 'Setuid and Setgid' as a method to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected BRU installations, as the vulnerability has existed for over two decades and represents a fundamental security flaw in legacy backup systems. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring and access controls around setuid binaries to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain overall system security posture against similar vulnerabilities.