CVE-2003-1461 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in rwrite for HP-UX 11.0 could allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a long argument. NOTE: the vendor was unable to reproduce the problem on a system that had been patched for an lp vulnerability (CVE-2002-1473).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1461 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the rwrite utility on HP-UX 11.0 operating systems. This flaw exists in the way the program handles command-line arguments, specifically when processing user input that exceeds the allocated buffer space. The rwrite utility is part of the line printer subsystem and is designed to write data to print queues, making it a component that typically runs with elevated privileges. The buffer overflow occurs when a local attacker provides an excessively long argument string that overflows the fixed-size buffer allocated for argument processing, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations and allowing for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices where insufficient bounds checking allows memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides local attackers with the capability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the rwrite process. Since the utility is part of the printing subsystem and likely runs with system-level permissions, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how insufficient input validation can create security weaknesses that persist even in enterprise operating systems. Attackers could leverage this flaw by crafting specially formatted command-line arguments that trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or system disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no network connectivity and can be exploited through local system access, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network-based security measures.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2003-1461 involves immediate patching of the affected HP-UX systems, as the vendor has acknowledged the issue and provided remediation. Organizations should prioritize updating their HP-UX systems to versions that include proper bounds checking and input validation for the rwrite utility. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local access to privileged utilities and monitoring for unusual command-line argument patterns. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2002-1473 demonstrates how security issues often compound, as the inability to reproduce the problem on patched systems suggests that addressing one vulnerability may have inadvertently resolved the buffer overflow condition. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and the use of local tools for system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted binaries and ensure proper input sanitization practices are followed in all system utilities. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and the interconnected nature of software vulnerabilities in complex operating system environments.