CVE-2006-4307 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the format command in Sun Solaris 8 and 9 before 20060821 allows local users to modify arbitrary files via unspecified vectors involving profiles that permit running format with elevated privileges, a different issue than CVE-2006-4306 and CVE-2006-4319.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4307 represents a significant security flaw within the Sun Solaris operating system versions 8 and 9, specifically affecting systems prior to the 20060821 patch release. This issue resides within the format command functionality and demonstrates a critical privilege escalation vector that enables local attackers to manipulate files beyond their intended scope. The vulnerability operates through a complex interaction between system profiles and the format command's execution environment, creating an avenue for unauthorized file modification that extends far beyond normal user permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the format command's profile execution framework. When system profiles permit the execution of format with elevated privileges, the underlying code fails to properly validate or sanitize the execution context, allowing malicious input to influence the command's behavior. This flaw falls under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and specifically relates to improper privilege management where the system fails to enforce proper access restrictions during command execution. The vulnerability's operational impact is amplified by the fact that it operates through legitimate system interfaces, making detection more challenging and the attack surface broader than typical privilege escalation methods.
Local users who can access systems with these vulnerable profiles can exploit this weakness to modify arbitrary files on the system, potentially compromising system integrity and confidentiality. The attack vector involves leveraging the elevated privilege context that profiles provide to the format command, creating a scenario where normal file operations can be redirected to modify critical system files or user data. This vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the system's privilege model, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially escalate their privileges to root level access. The issue differs significantly from related vulnerabilities CVE-2006-4306 and CVE-2006-4319, indicating a distinct code path and exploitation methodology that requires specific profile configurations to be effective.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple file modification capabilities, as it can enable attackers to compromise system security through various attack patterns including privilege escalation, data corruption, and system integrity violations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to modify critical system files, potentially creating backdoors or removing security controls that would otherwise protect the system from further compromise. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Solaris versions demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the privilege management system that required patching across the entire affected release cycle. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including system patching, profile review, and privilege restriction to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability operates within the ATT&CK framework under the Privilege Escalation and Defense Evasion tactics, where attackers can use legitimate system tools to bypass security controls. The remediation approach should focus on proper privilege management, profile hardening, and regular security assessments to identify and address similar vulnerabilities. System administrators must carefully review all profiles that permit elevated command execution and ensure that proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation through legitimate system interfaces. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper privilege separation and the need for comprehensive security testing of system interfaces that handle elevated privileges.