CVE-2004-2634 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) bos.rte.serv_aid or (2) bos.rte.console filesets in IBM AIX 5.1 and 5.2 allow local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files via unknown attack vectors.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2634 represents a critical privilege escalation and arbitrary file overwrite flaw affecting IBM AIX 5.1 and 5.2 operating systems. This issue resides within the bos.rte.serv_aid and bos.rte.console filesets, which are fundamental components of the AIX operating system's runtime environment. The vulnerability stems from insecure temporary file handling practices that create opportunities for local attackers to manipulate system files through symbolic link attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized system access and data compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper creation and handling of temporary files during the execution of system services. When these filesets process certain operations, they generate temporary files that are created with predictable names and insufficient security measures. Attackers can exploit this by creating symbolic links with the same names as the expected temporary files, effectively redirecting file operations to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This type of attack falls under the category of time-of-check to time-of-use race conditions and represents a classic example of insecure temporary file handling patterns that are commonly addressed by security frameworks and industry standards.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability provides local users with the ability to overwrite critical system files, potentially leading to privilege escalation, system instability, or complete system compromise. The attack vector allows adversaries to manipulate files that may contain sensitive system data or executable components, creating opportunities for persistent access or data corruption. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where AIX systems may be running critical services and where local privilege escalation can provide attackers with elevated system privileges to access restricted resources or modify system configurations.
The security implications extend beyond simple file overwrite capabilities, as this vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access mechanisms or to corrupt system integrity. Attackers could potentially overwrite system binaries, configuration files, or critical libraries, leading to system instability or complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-362, which addresses race conditions in file operations, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system binary manipulation. The attack requires local system access but can result in significant damage to system integrity and security posture, making it a critical concern for system administrators and security professionals managing AIX environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application from IBM, which would address the underlying temporary file handling issues in the affected filesets. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns, implementing proper file system auditing, and ensuring that system updates are applied promptly to address known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in system-level components and highlights the need for regular security assessments of critical system files and their temporary file handling mechanisms.