CVE-2004-1394 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
The pfexec function for Sun Solaris 8 and 9 does not properly handle when a custom profile contains an invalid entry in the exec_attr database, which may allow local users with custom rights profiles to execute profile commands with additional privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1394 resides within the pfexec function of Sun Solaris 8 and 9 operating systems, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that directly impacts the security posture of affected systems. This issue specifically manifests when the system processes custom rights profiles through the exec_attr database, a component responsible for defining which commands users can execute with elevated privileges. The flaw occurs due to inadequate error handling mechanisms within the pfexec function, which fails to properly validate or reject malformed entries within the exec_attr database structure. When a local user possesses a custom rights profile containing an invalid entry, the system's improper handling of this malformed data creates an opportunity for privilege escalation that bypasses normal security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the fundamental design flaw in how Solaris processes profile entries within the exec_attr database. When pfexec encounters an invalid entry, it does not gracefully reject or sanitize the malformed data, instead allowing the system to process the invalid configuration in a manner that can lead to unintended privilege elevation. This behavior violates established security principles and creates a path for local attackers to leverage their existing rights profile access to execute commands with expanded privileges beyond what the profile should permit. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where custom rights profiles are implemented, making it particularly relevant in enterprise environments that utilize Solaris' role-based access control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate error recovery procedures that are commonly associated with weak security architecture patterns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant threat to system security as it allows local users to potentially escalate their privileges without requiring additional authentication or administrative access. The exploitation process typically involves a user with a custom rights profile containing an invalid exec_attr entry to execute commands that would normally be restricted. This creates a scenario where attackers can leverage existing legitimate access to gain elevated privileges, making detection more challenging and potentially enabling further compromise of the system. The vulnerability affects the core privilege management functionality of Solaris, undermining the integrity of the system's access control mechanisms. Organizations relying on custom rights profiles for security management face particular risk, as this flaw can be exploited to bypass the very controls designed to limit user access to critical system functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1394 should focus on immediate patch application and comprehensive system hardening measures. Sun released security updates for Solaris 8 and 9 that address the improper handling of invalid entries in the exec_attr database, and system administrators should prioritize applying these patches to all affected systems. Additionally, organizations should implement strict validation procedures for all custom rights profiles, ensuring that exec_attr database entries follow proper syntax and structure before deployment. Regular auditing of rights profiles and exec_attr database contents can help identify malformed entries that may contribute to this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual privilege escalation attempts or command executions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how weak error handling can lead to privilege escalation attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques that leverage system configuration flaws, specifically targeting the execution of commands with elevated privileges through malformed profile entries.