CVE-2007-3717 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
rcp on Sun Solaris 8, 9, and 10 before 20070710 does not properly call certain helper applications, which allows local users to gain privileges by creating files with certain names, possibly containing shell metacharacters or spaces, a similar issue to CVE-2006-0225.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3717 affects the rcp utility on Sun Solaris operating systems versions 8, 9, and 10 prior to the 20070710 patch release. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper handling of helper applications within the rcp command execution process. The rcp utility, which stands for remote copy, is designed to copy files between hosts over a network using the rsh protocol and is commonly used for automated file transfers in enterprise environments. The flaw specifically manifests when the rcp utility processes certain file names that contain shell metacharacters or spaces, creating opportunities for malicious local users to exploit the system's privilege structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the rcp utility's failure to properly sanitize or validate file names when invoking helper applications during the file transfer process. When a local user creates files with specific naming conventions that include shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or pipe characters, combined with spaces, the rcp utility's command execution mechanism becomes susceptible to command injection attacks. This behavior is consistent with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with the patterns seen in CVE-2006-0225, indicating a recurring vulnerability pattern in Solaris utility implementations. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to manipulate how helper applications are invoked, potentially executing arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Local users who can create files with malicious naming conventions can leverage this flaw to execute commands as the rcp utility's effective user, which typically runs with higher privileges than regular user accounts. This could enable attackers to access system resources, modify critical files, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Solaris systems may be running with elevated privileges and where automated file transfer processes are common. Attackers could use this vulnerability to bypass traditional security controls and escalate their access within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3717 should focus on applying the appropriate security patches released by Sun Microsystems, specifically those addressing the rcp utility's command execution behavior. System administrators should also implement strict file naming conventions and access controls for directories where rcp operations are performed, ensuring that user-created files cannot contain shell metacharacters or be executed in contexts where they might be processed by the rcp utility. Network segmentation and monitoring of rcp usage can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that helper applications are properly configured and that file name validation is enforced. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and command execution handling in system utilities, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing commands and T1548 for privilege escalation through local utilities. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls and privilege separation to reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their environments.