CVE-2005-2071 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
traceroute in Sun Solaris 10 on x86 systems allows local users to execute arbitrary code with PRIV_NET_RAWACCESS privileges via (1) a large number of -g arguments or (2) a malformed -s argument with a trailing . (dot).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2071 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the traceroute utility distributed with Sun Solaris 10 operating systems on x86 architectures. This flaw exists in the command-line argument parsing mechanism of traceroute, specifically when processing network tracing parameters that control gateway hops and source address specifications. The vulnerability manifests when local users exploit improper input validation in how the utility handles the -g option for specifying gateway hops and the -s option for setting source addresses. When a malicious user provides an excessive number of -g arguments or constructs a malformed -s argument ending with a trailing dot character, the application fails to properly bounds-check input data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This buffer overflow condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that allows privilege escalation from standard user privileges to PRIV_NET_RAWACCESS capabilities, which provides extensive network access permissions including raw packet manipulation and network interface control. The flaw stems from inadequate defensive programming practices in the Solaris 10 traceroute implementation, where the code does not perform sufficient validation of argument lengths or enforce proper buffer boundaries during parameter processing. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-122, stack-based buffer overflow, while also aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1046, Network Service Scanning. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with elevated network privileges that could enable further lateral movement within a network infrastructure, DNS poisoning attacks, or man-in-the-middle interception of network traffic. The specific nature of the flaw makes it particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as local users already possess the ability to execute the traceroute utility. The attack vector is straightforward and can be executed through simple command-line manipulation without requiring network access or special tools beyond standard user accounts. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability affects systems where the traceroute utility is installed with setuid privileges, allowing local users to leverage the flaw even when they do not possess direct administrative access to the system. The recommended mitigations include applying the vendor-provided security patches that correct the buffer overflow conditions, implementing proper input validation controls, and considering the removal of unnecessary setuid permissions on the traceroute utility. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual traceroute usage patterns and implement network-based intrusion detection rules to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and buffer management in network utilities, particularly those with elevated privileges, and underscores the need for regular security assessments of system utilities that handle user input. This issue highlights the broader challenge of maintaining secure network diagnostic tools and emphasizes the critical role of defensive programming practices in preventing privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and regular security audits to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other system utilities and network tools that may be susceptible to similar exploitation techniques.