CVE-2005-0464 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
gr_osview in sgi irix 6.5.22 and possibly other 6.5 versions does not drop privileges when opening description files while in debug mode which allows local users to read a line from arbitrary files via the -d and -d options which prints the line as a formatting error.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0464 affects the gr_osview component within Silicon Graphics IRIX 6.5.22 operating system and potentially other versions in the 6.5.x series. This security flaw resides in the privilege management mechanism of the gr_osview utility, which is part of the IRIX operating system's graphics and visualization framework. The vulnerability manifests specifically when the application operates in debug mode, creating a dangerous condition where privilege escalation occurs through improper file access handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the gr_osview utility's failure to properly drop administrative privileges when processing description files during debug execution. When the application receives input through the -d command line option, it attempts to read and process description files without adequately reducing its privilege level. This design flaw allows local attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by providing malicious file paths through the debug interface, enabling them to read arbitrary lines from any file accessible to the gr_osview process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within the context of IRIX systems, as it provides local users with unauthorized access to system files that they would normally not be able to read. The exploitation technique involves using the -d and -d command line options to trigger the vulnerable code path, which then displays the contents of arbitrary files as formatting errors in the application's output. This behavior effectively creates a privilege escalation vector that can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from the system, potentially including configuration files, user credentials, or other confidential data.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and demonstrates a classic case of insufficient privilege dropping during program execution. The flaw represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the application maintains elevated permissions unnecessarily during file processing operations. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1005, covering 'Data from Local System', as it enables attackers to extract sensitive information from local files through the application's debug interface.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of privilege reduction mechanisms within the gr_osview application, ensuring that all file access operations occur with minimal necessary privileges. System administrators should disable debug mode functionality in production environments where possible, and implement proper file access controls to limit what files the gr_osview process can access. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar privilege management issues in other system utilities, and patch management procedures should be established to ensure timely remediation of such vulnerabilities. The recommended approach involves modifying the application's source code to explicitly drop privileges after processing the description files and before any additional file operations, thereby preventing unauthorized access to system resources.