CVE-2005-0248 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
The Solaris Management Console (SMC) GUI for Solaris 8 and 9, when creating user accounts that are configured for password aging, creates the accounts with a blank password, which allows remote or local attackers to break into those accounts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0248 represents a critical security flaw in the Solaris Management Console component of Oracle Solaris operating systems version 8 and 9. This issue affects the graphical user interface functionality responsible for user account creation and management, specifically when password aging policies are configured for new accounts. The flaw stems from improper implementation of account creation logic within the SMC framework, where the system fails to properly enforce password requirements during the account provisioning process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a fundamental failure in the account creation workflow where user accounts configured with password aging policies are inadvertently initialized with blank passwords. This occurs during the user account provisioning process within the Solaris Management Console, which operates as a graphical interface for system administration tasks. The flaw exists in the underlying code that handles user account creation, where the password validation and assignment mechanisms are bypassed or incorrectly implemented when password aging features are enabled.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe security risk that allows both local and remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The blank password condition effectively provides a backdoor entry point that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms, enabling attackers to assume control of accounts without requiring legitimate credentials. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and authentication integrity within the Solaris environment, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive system resources.
The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as this vulnerability can be exploited to establish persistent access points within the system. Attackers can leverage the blank password accounts to perform reconnaissance activities, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate data from the affected systems. This flaw particularly affects environments where Solaris Management Console is actively used for user management, as it creates a window of opportunity for exploitation that could remain undetected for extended periods.
According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-256: "Plaintext Storage of a Password" and CWE-798: "Use of Hard-coded Credentials," as the system fails to properly implement password requirements and stores accounts in an insecure state. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004: "Valid Accounts: SSH Keys" and T1078.002: "Valid Accounts: Default Accounts," as it creates accounts that can be accessed using default or blank credentials. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the vulnerable Solaris Management Console functionality, implementing strict password policies, and conducting comprehensive security audits to identify and remediate affected accounts.
Mitigation strategies should include disabling the vulnerable SMC user creation functionality, implementing mandatory password requirements for all new accounts, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized account access. System administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as two-factor authentication and regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and credential management in system administration interfaces, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple administrative tools are in use. Organizations should also review their overall security posture and implement compensating controls to prevent similar issues in other system components that handle user account provisioning and authentication.