CVE-2005-2233 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in multiple "p" commands in IBM AIX 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via long command line arguments to (1) penable or other hard-linked files including (2) pdisable, (3) pstart, (4) phold, (5) pdelay, or (6) pshare.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2233 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting IBM AIX operating systems version 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. This security weakness specifically targets multiple privileged commands within the AIX print management subsystem, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries who possess basic user privileges. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms in the command line argument processing of several print management utilities, including penable, pdisable, pstart, phold, pdelay, and pshare. These commands are typically hard-linked to provide elevated functionality and are designed to be executed with heightened privileges by authorized users. The buffer overflow condition occurs when these commands receive excessively long command line arguments that exceed the allocated memory buffer size, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted processes. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of insufficient bounds checking in system-level software components. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution as local attackers can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges within the AIX environment, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and compromising the integrity of the print management subsystem. The attack vector requires local system access and the ability to execute these specific print management commands, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability that could be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users might have legitimate access to these utilities. The exploitation process involves crafting malicious command line arguments that exceed buffer boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite return addresses or other critical memory locations within the executing processes. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and demonstrates how seemingly benign system utilities can become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent. Organizations running affected IBM AIX versions face significant risk as this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized control over print services and potentially move laterally within the system. The remediation approach requires immediate application of IBM security patches and updates, along with implementing proper input validation measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other system components. System administrators should also consider restricting access to these privileged commands through proper access control mechanisms and monitoring for unusual command executions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough input validation in system-level utilities and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of privileged programs that handle user-supplied data. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the ongoing challenges in maintaining secure legacy systems where buffer overflow vulnerabilities can persist for extended periods without proper patch management protocols. The affected commands represent critical system utilities that form part of the standard AIX print subsystem, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments that rely heavily on print services and system management capabilities.