CVE-2005-1124 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in the libgss Generic Security Services Library in Solaris 7, 8, and 9 allows local users to gain privileges by loading their own GSS-API.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1124 resides within the libgss Generic Security Services Library implementation in Solaris operating systems versions 7, 8, and 9. This represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables local attackers to elevate their system privileges through manipulation of the GSS-API loading mechanism. The issue stems from inadequate access controls and validation within the security services library that governs authentication and authorization processes in Unix-based systems.
The technical flaw manifests when local users exploit improper handling of GSS-API module loading within the libgss library. This vulnerability allows attackers to load malicious or modified GSS-API modules that can bypass normal security checks and gain elevated privileges. The root cause lies in insufficient input validation and privilege separation mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized module loading. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-276: Incorrect Permission Assignment, as it involves improper privilege management within the security services framework. The flaw enables privilege escalation from standard user to root level access, making it particularly dangerous for system security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of Solaris security services. Local attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple Solaris versions, creating widespread exposure across enterprise environments that rely on these operating systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability corresponds to T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1547.001: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder, as attackers can manipulate security services to maintain persistent access. The attack surface includes any local user account that can interact with the libgss library or related security services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1124 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Solaris systems through official Oracle security updates. System administrators must implement strict access controls and privilege separation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized module loading. The recommended approach includes disabling unnecessary GSS-API functionality, implementing proper file permissions on security libraries, and monitoring for suspicious module loading activities. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential privilege escalation vectors within their Solaris environments. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be performed to ensure that similar weaknesses are not present in other system components. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced across all system services to minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities.