CVE-2003-0724 in Tru64
Summary
by MITRE
ssh on HP Tru64 UNIX 5.1B and 5.1A does not properly handle RSA signatures when digital certificates and RSA keys are used, which could allow local and remote attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0724 affects the Secure Shell implementation on HP Tru64 UNIX operating systems version 5.1B and 5.1A. This represents a critical security flaw in the cryptographic signature handling mechanism of the ssh service that could potentially be exploited by both local and remote attackers to escalate privileges. The issue specifically manifests when digital certificates and RSA keys are simultaneously employed within the authentication framework, creating a scenario where the system fails to properly validate RSA signatures. This weakness stems from improper implementation of cryptographic validation routines within the ssh daemon, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal authentication checks and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of RSA signatures when digital certificates are present in the authentication process. According to CWE-310, this represents a cryptographic vulnerability related to improper implementation of cryptographic primitives. The flaw occurs during the signature verification phase where the ssh daemon fails to properly verify the integrity of RSA signatures when certificate-based authentication is being used. This creates a path for attackers to manipulate signature validation logic and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects both local and remote attack vectors, meaning that an attacker could exploit this weakness from either within the system or from an external network position.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the ssh service on affected HP Tru64 UNIX systems. Attackers could potentially gain root access to systems, allowing them to modify critical system files, install backdoors, or establish persistent access points. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and could lead to complete system compromise. The attack surface is broad since ssh is commonly used for remote administration, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where remote access is frequently required. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the authentication process, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users or systems within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates and configuration hardening. Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by HP for the affected Tru64 UNIX versions, which would address the cryptographic signature handling flaw. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary certificate-based authentication mechanisms when RSA keys are sufficient for the required security level. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access patterns, making it particularly concerning for defensive security operations. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, including unusual ssh authentication patterns or signature validation failures. Additionally, implementing proper key management practices and regular security audits can help prevent exploitation of this and similar cryptographic vulnerabilities in the broader system infrastructure.