CVE-2004-1054 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
untrusted execution path vulnerability in invscout in ibm aix 5.1.0 5.2.0 and 5.3.0 allows local users to gain privileges by modifying the path environment variable to point to a malicious "uname" program which is executed from lsvpd after lsvpd has been invoked by invscout.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1054 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within IBM AIX operating systems version 5.1.0, 5.2.0, and 5.3.0. This issue resides in the invscout component which serves as a system inventory and configuration tool. The vulnerability stems from an insecure direct object reference pattern where the system fails to properly validate the execution environment of critical system utilities. Specifically, when invscout invokes lsvpd, it does so without ensuring that the PATH environment variable points to legitimate system binaries rather than potentially malicious alternatives.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic path manipulation attack vector that aligns with CWE-426, which describes the insecure execution of external programs. The flaw exists because lsvpd, when invoked by invscout, executes the uname command without proper path validation or sanitization. A local attacker can exploit this by modifying the PATH environment variable to place a malicious uname program at the beginning of the search path. When lsvpd executes uname as part of its normal operations, it inadvertently executes the attacker-controlled binary instead of the legitimate system utility. This behavior creates an untrusted execution path that violates fundamental security principles of executable integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to root access. The attack requires only local system access and does not necessitate network connectivity or complex exploitation techniques. Once successful, the malicious uname program can execute with elevated privileges, potentially enabling the attacker to modify system files, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. This privilege escalation capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and compromises the integrity of the entire system. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of IBM AIX, indicating a widespread issue that would impact numerous enterprise systems running these older operating system versions.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and environment sanitization practices. Organizations should ensure that PATH variables are properly configured and that system utilities are executed from predetermined, trusted locations rather than allowing arbitrary path resolution. The implementation of secure coding practices such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project would help prevent similar issues. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing mandatory access controls and privilege separation mechanisms to limit the impact of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through environment variable manipulation. Regular security audits and patch management processes should be implemented to address such issues promptly, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how improper environment handling can lead to severe security consequences.