CVE-2005-2925 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
runpriv in SGI IRIX allows local users to bypass intended restrictions and execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a command line for a privileged binary in /usr/sysadm/privbin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2925 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the SGI IRIX operating system's runpriv utility. This vulnerability specifically affects the runpriv binary located in the /usr/sysadm/privbin directory, which is designed to execute privileged operations with restricted permissions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the runpriv utility, allowing local attackers to manipulate command execution through shell metacharacters. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability where user-supplied input is not properly escaped or filtered before being passed to shell execution contexts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the improper handling of command line arguments in the privileged binary execution environment. When runpriv processes user input, it fails to adequately sanitize shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that could alter the intended execution flow. This allows attackers to inject additional commands that execute with the elevated privileges of the privileged binary. The vulnerability operates at the system level where the privilege separation mechanisms fail, creating a path for local users to bypass intended access controls and execute arbitrary code with higher privileges than normally permitted. This flaw directly relates to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-20, which covers input validation issues that can lead to command injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise the entire system security posture. Local users who can execute the runpriv utility can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources, modify critical system files, or establish persistent access mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the system's administrative utilities, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate system configurations, access sensitive data, or disable security controls. This type of vulnerability is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' and T1059, which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system hardening measures including proper input validation, command argument sanitization, and privilege separation enforcement. System administrators should implement strict input filtering mechanisms that prevent shell metacharacters from being processed in privileged execution contexts. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-supplied security patches or implementing custom workarounds that properly escape or quote command line arguments before shell execution. Additionally, system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other privileged utilities and ensure that all system binaries properly validate and sanitize user input. The fundamental principle is to implement defense-in-depth measures that prevent the exploitation of such privilege escalation vulnerabilities while maintaining system functionality and user accessibility requirements.