CVE-2004-1764 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in CDE libDtSvc on HP-UX B.11.00, B.11.04, B.11.11, and B.11.22 allows local users to gain root privileges via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1764 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the CDE libDtSvc component of HP-UX operating systems across multiple versions including B.11.00, B.11.04, B.11.11, and B.11.22. This issue resides within the Common Desktop Environment library that provides desktop services functionality, making it a significant security concern for systems utilizing these older HP-UX releases. The buffer overflow vulnerability specifically affects the libDtSvc library which handles various desktop service operations and communications, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by local adversaries with system access.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the libDtSvc library functions that process data from external sources. When the library receives data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, it can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue means that an attacker must already have some form of access to the system, typically through a valid user account or service access, but can then leverage this flaw to achieve root or administrative privileges. This characteristic aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how insufficient bounds checking can lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems. Once an attacker successfully exploits this buffer overflow, they can execute commands with the highest possible system privileges, potentially leading to data theft, system modification, or further network penetration. The affected HP-UX versions represent a range of legacy systems that were commonly used in enterprise environments during the early 2000s, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations maintaining older infrastructure. The local nature of the exploit means that attackers typically need to establish a foothold on the system first, but once achieved, the privilege escalation capability provides complete system control. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and security configurations, as it was likely exploited in various security incidents targeting legacy hp-ux systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches provided by HP for the affected HP-UX versions, as well as implementing comprehensive system hardening measures. System administrators should prioritize upgrading to supported HP-UX releases that contain fixes for this and similar vulnerabilities, as older versions may contain additional unpatched security flaws. Additional defensive measures include implementing least privilege principles, monitoring for suspicious system activity, and ensuring that only necessary services are running on affected systems. The vulnerability's characteristics align with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and defense evasion, making it important for security teams to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if systems are compromised, and maintain regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their infrastructure.