CVE-2007-4354 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in fileplace in bos.perf.tools in IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4354 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the fileplace component of IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 operating systems. This flaw exists within the bos.perf.tools package, which is part of the base operating system utilities that manage performance monitoring and file system operations. The buffer overflow occurs when the fileplace utility processes certain input parameters, creating an opportunity for local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running IBM AIX versions 5.2 and 5.3, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments during that timeframe.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the fileplace utility's memory management routines. When the utility processes file placement operations, it fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic programming error allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program state information. The flaw manifests when local users can manipulate the utility's input parameters to exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, enabling them to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on buffer operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve system compromise from a local account. Local users who can execute the fileplace utility gain the ability to elevate their privileges to root level, effectively granting them complete control over the affected system. This privilege escalation capability enables attackers to modify system files, install malicious software, establish backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no network access or remote exploitation capabilities, making it exploitable through local system access alone. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities and local execution of malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4354 should prioritize immediate system patching from IBM, as the vendor has released security updates to address this specific buffer overflow condition. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected AIX versions and implement mandatory security updates. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as discretionary access controls, file system permissions, and monitoring of fileplace utility usage to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in system utilities, particularly those that handle user input in privileged contexts. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logging of system activities involving the fileplace utility to support forensic analysis if required.