CVE-2007-4513 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 allow local users to gain privileges via a long argument to the (1) "-p" option to lqueryvg or (2) the "-V" option to lquerypv.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4513 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting IBM AIX operating systems version 5.2 and 5.3. This flaw exists within two specific system utilities that are commonly used for volume management and physical volume querying. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing command-line arguments, particularly those associated with the "-p" and "-V" options. These utilities are part of the AIX storage management framework and are designed to provide administrative access to volume group and physical volume information respectively. The buffer overflow occurs when these utilities receive excessively long arguments that exceed the allocated stack buffer space, creating a condition where adjacent memory locations can be overwritten with attacker-controlled data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of command-line parameters passed to system utilities that lack proper bounds checking mechanisms. When the lqueryvg utility receives a long argument with the "-p" option or when lquerypv processes an extended argument with the "-V" option, the input data is copied directly into a fixed-size stack buffer without adequate length verification. This classic buffer overflow scenario allows a local attacker to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data structures. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of system utilities that typically run with elevated privileges, potentially enabling privilege escalation from standard user accounts to root access. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently exploited in various operating systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a reliable method to compromise system integrity and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. Local users who can execute these utilities can leverage the buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running process, which often includes system-level access. The attack vector is relatively straightforward since it only requires local system access and knowledge of the affected utilities. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to AIX systems in enterprise environments where local user access may not be strictly controlled, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors or escalate privileges to fully compromise the system. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in legitimate programs to gain system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected IBM AIX systems to ensure the proper implementation of input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should also implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to system management utilities. System administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual command-line arguments being passed to these utilities, as well as regular security audits to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system utilities and highlights the need for regular security assessments of core operating system components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing privilege separation mechanisms and using least privilege principles when executing system management tools to minimize potential damage from similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include verification that the patches have been properly applied and that no residual vulnerabilities remain in the system configuration.