CVE-2003-0784 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in tsm for the bos.rte.security fileset on AIX 5.2 allows remote attackers to gain root privileges via login, and local users to gain privileges via login, su, or passwd, with a username that contains format string specifiers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0784 represents a critical format string flaw within the bos.rte.security fileset of AIX 5.2 operating systems. This security weakness exists in the system's authentication and privilege escalation mechanisms, specifically affecting how the system processes user input during login operations. The vulnerability manifests when the system encounters usernames containing format string specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x, which are typically used in printf-style functions to control output formatting. When these specifiers appear in user-provided input without proper validation or sanitization, they can be exploited to manipulate program execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the authentication subsystem of AIX 5.2. When users attempt to log in using accounts with specially crafted usernames containing format string specifiers, the system's security mechanisms fail to properly sanitize this input before processing it through functions that expect formatted output. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious format specifiers that can cause the program to read from memory locations or write data to specific addresses. The flaw operates at the core of the system's authentication pipeline, affecting login functionality, the su command for privilege escalation, and the passwd command for password changes, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from both remote network positions and local system access points.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0784 is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively compromising the entire system and potentially gaining access to sensitive data, network resources, and other connected systems. Local users can also exploit this flaw to escalate their privileges from standard user accounts to root access, undermining the fundamental security model of the operating system. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments. This flaw particularly affects organizations running AIX 5.2 systems where security is not properly maintained or where legacy systems have not been updated to address known vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which describes the weakness of using untrusted data in format string operations, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in security-critical applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access methods, specifically targeting the T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1550 (Use of Valid Credentials) tactics. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying vendor patches, implementing input validation controls, and monitoring for suspicious login patterns. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, privilege separation, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities in their environments.