CVE-2005-0113 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
inpview in SGI IRIX allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via the SUN_TTSESSION_CMD environment variable, which is executed by inpview without dropping privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0113 affects the inpview component within SGI IRIX operating system, presenting a significant local privilege escalation risk. This flaw resides in the input viewing application that processes the SUN_TTSESSION_CMD environment variable without proper privilege management. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to drop elevated privileges before executing commands specified through this environment variable, creating a persistent attack vector for local adversaries. The issue is particularly concerning as it operates within the context of a system that typically handles sensitive input processing functions, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure environment variable handling where inpview directly executes commands based on user-supplied environment variables without adequate sanitization or privilege reduction measures. This behavior aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a direct violation of privilege separation principles that are fundamental to secure system design. When a local user sets the SUN_TTSESSION_CMD environment variable to contain malicious commands, the inpview application processes these commands with the same privileges as the application itself, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution as it enables local users to escalate their privileges within the IRIX environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially compromising the entire system or gaining access to sensitive data and resources. The vulnerability affects systems running SGI IRIX versions that include the inpview component, particularly those where users might have access to the system but without elevated privileges. This scenario commonly occurs in multi-user environments where users need to process input files but should not possess administrative capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0113 should focus on implementing proper privilege management within the inpview application and addressing the insecure environment variable handling. System administrators should ensure that the inpview component properly drops privileges before processing environment variables, preventing the execution of commands with elevated permissions. The recommended approach involves modifying the application to sanitize all environment variables before processing and enforcing strict privilege separation between user-level and system-level operations. Additionally, regular system updates and patches from SGI should be applied to address this vulnerability, as the flaw represents a fundamental security weakness that could be exploited by malicious users within the system environment. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks and standards.