CVE-2003-1375 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in wall for HP-UX 10.20 through 11.11 may allow local users to execute arbitrary code by calling wall with a large file as an argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1375 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the wall command implementation on HP-UX operating systems spanning versions 10.20 through 11.11. This issue resides in the system administration utilities that facilitate broadcasting messages to all logged-in users across a system. The wall command serves as a fundamental tool for system administrators to communicate important information to users, making it a critical component in system security and user management. When the wall command processes input arguments, it fails to properly validate the length of file data being passed to it, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated privileges.
The technical mechanism of this buffer overflow exploit involves the wall command's insufficient bounds checking when handling file input. Specifically, when a local user invokes the wall command with a large file as an argument, the command attempts to read and process the file contents without adequate buffer size validation. This results in memory corruption that can be manipulated to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses or function pointers within the program stack. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local user privileges to exploit, eliminating the need for network access or remote system compromise, which makes it a significant threat in environments where local access is not adequately restricted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. Local users who successfully exploit this buffer overflow can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the wall command process, which typically runs with elevated permissions due to its system administration function. This could enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges further, or manipulate system configurations. The vulnerability creates a path for privilege escalation attacks that align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically addresses local privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities. Additionally, the exploitability of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in system utilities, as even seemingly benign administrative tools can become attack vectors when not properly secured.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1375 should prioritize immediate patching of affected HP-UX systems through official vendor updates or security patches. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege management policies to limit local user access to system administration utilities, as this reduces the attack surface for such local privilege escalation exploits. System administrators should also conduct regular security assessments of system utilities and implement input validation measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the CERT Secure Coding Standards, particularly regarding buffer overflow prevention and proper memory management. Additionally, monitoring and logging of wall command usage can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all system utilities properly validate input lengths and implement appropriate bounds checking mechanisms to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions from occurring in the future.