CVE-2003-1018 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in enq command in AIX 4.3, 5.1, and 5.2 allows local users with rintq group privileges to gain privileges via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1018 represents a critical format string flaw within the enq command of IBM AIX operating systems versions 4.3, 5.1, and 5.2. This issue specifically affects systems where local users possess membership in the rintq group, which typically handles print queue management operations. The format string vulnerability arises from improper input validation within the enq command's argument processing, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that can be exploited by authenticated users with limited system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the enq command's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in printf-style functions. When the command processes command-line arguments containing format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x, it can inadvertently execute arbitrary code or reveal memory contents, depending on the specific attack vector employed. This flaw falls under CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of format strings inappropriately, making it a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the rintq group membership provides users with legitimate access to print queue operations, making the attack vector both plausible and potentially dangerous in enterprise environments.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for AIX systems running the affected versions, as it allows local privilege escalation without requiring elevated system credentials. Attackers with rintq group membership can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with higher privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive system resources, modifying print queue configurations, or even establishing persistent backdoors within the system. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the CVE description, which is typical for such vulnerabilities, but generally involves crafting malicious command-line arguments that trigger the format string processing error. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and can be classified under T1548.001 for "Abuse of Functionality" when exploited for privilege elevation.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of AIX operating systems, restricting rintq group membership to only essential users, and monitoring for suspicious print queue activities. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and privilege separation measures to limit the potential impact of such local privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when dealing with user-supplied arguments in system-level commands, aligning with industry standards that emphasize defense in depth and least privilege principles to minimize the impact of such security flaws in enterprise computing environments.