CVE-2005-1887 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in the Sun Solaris C library (libc and libproject) in Solaris 10 allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1887 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Sun Solaris operating system's core C library components, specifically affecting libc and libproject libraries in Solaris 10. This issue stems from improper handling of certain system calls and library functions that govern process and resource management within the Solaris environment. The vulnerability exists at the foundational level of the operating system's userland libraries, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by local attackers who already have access to the system. The flaw manifests in how the system processes certain privilege-related operations, creating potential pathways for unauthorized elevation of privileges from standard user accounts to administrative levels.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation and improper access control mechanisms within the Solaris C library functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating specific library calls that handle process management and resource allocation. The flaw typically involves improper checks on user permissions during library function execution, allowing local users to bypass normal security controls that should prevent privilege escalation. This vulnerability operates at the kernel boundary where user-space applications interface with system-level functions, creating a direct attack surface that can be leveraged to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The issue is particularly concerning because it affects core system libraries that are fundamental to virtually all applications running on Solaris 10, making the exploitation impact widespread and potentially devastating.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Solaris 10 systems as local attackers with minimal privileges can exploit it to gain root access or administrative control over affected systems. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable broader network infiltration and lateral movement within enterprise environments where Solaris systems are deployed. Organizations running Solaris 10 servers, particularly those with multiple users or shared systems, face increased risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install backdoors, modify system files, and potentially establish persistent access to network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1887 require immediate implementation of vendor-provided security patches and updates from Sun Microsystems, as the vulnerability directly affects the core operating system libraries. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of system calls and privilege-related activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes applying the official Solaris patches that address the specific library function vulnerabilities, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of system configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as mandatory access controls, privilege separation, and regular system integrity checks to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system libraries and the potential consequences of running outdated operating system versions that may contain unpatched security flaws. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other system components and ensure comprehensive protection against privilege escalation attacks.