CVE-2003-1034 in SAP
Summary
by MITRE
The RPM installation of SAP DB 7.x creates the (1) dbmsrv or (2) lserver programs with world-writable permissions, which allows local users to gain privileges by modifying those programs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1034 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in SAP DB 7.x database installations that leverages improper file permissions during the RPM packaging process. This issue affects the core database server executables dbmsrv and lserver which are installed with world-writable permissions, creating a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers to elevate their privileges. The vulnerability stems from the installation procedure where these critical system binaries are not properly secured with restrictive permissions, allowing any local user to modify these programs and potentially inject malicious code or alter their functionality.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability directly maps to CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses situations where critical system resources are assigned incorrect permissions that allow unauthorized modification. The flaw occurs during the RPM installation phase where the database server executables are created with permissions that permit world-writable access, effectively removing any security controls that would normally prevent modification by non-privileged users. The dbmsrv and lserver programs serve as essential database server components that handle core database operations, making their compromise particularly dangerous for system integrity and data security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides local attackers with a straightforward path to privilege escalation without requiring any specialized tools or advanced exploitation techniques. An attacker with basic local access can simply modify the world-writable binaries to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage weaknesses in system permissions to gain higher-level access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal skill level and can be executed automatically, making it a preferred target for both casual attackers and more sophisticated threat actors seeking to establish persistent access.
Organizations running SAP DB 7.x systems should immediately implement remediation measures to address this vulnerability, including correcting the file permissions on the affected binaries to remove world-writable access. The recommended approach involves setting appropriate ownership and permission levels for dbmsrv and lserver executables, typically restricting write access to the root user or specific administrative accounts only. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all installed SAP components to identify any other programs that may have been installed with similar permission flaws. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security hardening practices during software installation and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration oversights can create substantial security risks that can be exploited to achieve complete system compromise.