CVE-2007-3333 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in capture in IBM AIX 5.3 SP6 and 5.2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large number of terminal control sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3333 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the capture functionality of IBM AIX operating systems version 5.3 SP6 and 5.2.0. This issue arises from insufficient input validation when processing terminal control sequences, creating a condition where maliciously crafted sequences can overflow the allocated stack buffer and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability specifically affects the terminal capture mechanism that handles control character sequences, which are commonly used in terminal emulators and communication protocols.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the improper handling of terminal control sequences during the capture process, where the system fails to properly bounds-check the length of incoming control character data. When a large number of terminal control sequences are processed, the buffer allocated for storing these sequences exceeds its predetermined limits, causing a stack overflow condition. This overflow can overwrite the return address of the calling function, enabling remote attackers to redirect execution flow to malicious code placed in the overflowed buffer. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it a significant threat to system integrity and availability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risk to organizations running IBM AIX systems, particularly those with network-accessible terminal services or applications that process external terminal control data. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, potentially gaining full system control without requiring local access or user interaction. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation, data compromise, and system availability disruption. Organizations with systems that rely on terminal capture functionality for logging, monitoring, or communication purposes face heightened exposure, as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate network communication channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3333 should focus on immediate patching of affected IBM AIX systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable capture functionality, particularly those exposed to untrusted networks. Input validation controls should be enhanced at network boundaries to filter out suspicious terminal control sequences, and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous patterns of terminal sequence processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through terminal services. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and limiting the exposure of terminal capture services to only trusted networks provides defense-in-depth measures that complement the primary patching approach.