CVE-2005-3504 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in swcons in IBM AIX 5.2, when debug malloc is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a core dump and possibly execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3504 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the swcons component of IBM AIX 5.2 operating system. This flaw specifically manifests when the debug malloc functionality is enabled, creating a dangerous scenario where remote attackers can exploit the system's memory management mechanisms. The swcons component serves as a software console driver responsible for console operations within the AIX environment, making it a critical system element that directly interfaces with user input and system output operations. The buffer overflow vulnerability occurs in the context of memory allocation debugging, where the system's ability to track and manage allocated memory regions becomes compromised when debug malloc is active. This creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote adversaries to disrupt normal system operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the swcons implementation when debug malloc is enabled. When debug malloc is active, the system maintains additional metadata about memory allocations to track potential memory leaks and corruption issues. However, this enhanced debugging functionality introduces a flaw in how buffer sizes are validated during console input processing. Attackers can craft specially formatted input sequences that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that leads to program termination and potential code execution. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the AIX operating system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring local system access. The buffer overflow condition specifically targets memory regions used for console input handling, where the system processes user commands and system messages through the swcons driver.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. When the buffer overflow occurs, it can cause the system to generate core dumps, which represent memory snapshots of the process at the time of crash, potentially exposing sensitive information. More critically, the memory corruption introduced by the buffer overflow can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the system's memory space. This capability transforms a simple crash condition into a full remote code execution vulnerability, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, establish persistent access, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects systems running IBM AIX 5.2 with debug malloc enabled, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this operating system version. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where AIX systems may serve as critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3504 should focus on immediate system hardening measures and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling debug malloc functionality on affected systems, as this removes the vulnerable code path entirely. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access system management interfaces. Additionally, organizations should consider applying available IBM security patches and updates that address the underlying buffer overflow condition in the swcons component. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and remote code execution. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessment procedures should be implemented to detect similar conditions in other system components, as this type of memory corruption vulnerability often indicates broader security weaknesses in system design and implementation practices.