CVE-2007-4791 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the swcons command in bos.rte.console in IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-3504 and CVE-2007-0978.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4791 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the swcons command component of IBM AIX operating systems version 5.2 and 5.3. This issue resides within the bos.rte.console package, which handles console management operations for the AIX system. The swcons command specifically manages software console functionality, making it a potential attack vector for local privilege escalation. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2005-3504 and CVE-2007-0978, this flaw manifests through distinct attack vectors that exploit memory corruption in the console subsystem. The buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when the swcons command processes input data without proper bounds checking, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This particular flaw is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite stack memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability affects the core console management functionality of AIX systems, making it particularly dangerous for system administrators who rely on console operations for system maintenance and troubleshooting. Attackers with local access can exploit this weakness to execute malicious code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system. The attack surface is significant since console operations are frequently used during system administration tasks, making the vulnerability accessible through legitimate administrative workflows. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can provide attackers with persistent access to system resources, potentially enabling further exploitation of other system components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and system access to gain elevated privileges, and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage for exploitation. IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 systems running the affected bos.rte.console package are at risk, with the vulnerability particularly concerning due to its potential for privilege escalation and the widespread use of these older AIX versions in enterprise environments. The flaw's manifestation through unspecified vectors suggests that multiple input processing paths within the swcons command could trigger the buffer overflow condition, making detection and remediation more challenging. System administrators should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a significant security risk for any organization relying on IBM AIX 5.2 or 5.3 systems, particularly those with extensive console management operations. The vulnerability's persistence in these older AIX versions highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with running unsupported operating system versions in production environments. Mitigation efforts should include immediate patch deployment, system monitoring for unauthorized console access, and implementation of additional access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation techniques to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in system-level components, particularly those handling user input through console interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other system components that may present comparable risks to system integrity and security.