CVE-2004-1354 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
The Solaris Management Console (SMC) in Sun Solaris 8 and 9 generates different 404 error messages when a file does not exist versus when a file exists but is otherwise inacessible, which could allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information in conjunction with a directory traversal (..) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1354 represents a classic information disclosure issue within the Solaris Management Console component of Sun Solaris 8 and 9 operating systems. This flaw stems from the inconsistent error handling mechanisms employed by the SMC when processing file access requests, creating a scenario where attackers can distinguish between different types of file access failures through carefully crafted directory traversal attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the difference in error responses generated by the Solaris Management Console when encountering missing files versus inaccessible files. When a file does not exist, the system returns a specific 404 error message that differs from the response generated when a file exists but cannot be accessed due to permission restrictions or other access control issues. This behavioral inconsistency creates a reconnaissance opportunity for attackers who can use directory traversal sequences to probe the file system structure and gain information about the underlying system configuration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to execute successfully. The ability to distinguish between file existence and access permissions through error message analysis provides attackers with valuable information about the target system's file structure, potentially revealing sensitive paths, system configurations, or even the presence of specific applications or services running on the system. This information can then be leveraged to plan more sophisticated attacks or to identify additional vulnerabilities within the system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper error handling, and represents a clear example of how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security implications. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under reconnaissance and credential access phases, where adversaries gather system information before executing more targeted attacks. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted requests to the SMC service that include directory traversal sequences, allowing the attacker to observe the different error responses and infer system information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing consistent error handling across all file access operations within the Solaris Management Console, ensuring that all file access failures return identical error messages regardless of the underlying cause. System administrators should also apply the appropriate security patches provided by Sun Microsystems, which address this specific error handling inconsistency. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the Solaris Management Console to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper error handling practices in security-sensitive applications and demonstrates how information disclosure through error messages can undermine even well-designed access control mechanisms.