CVE-2007-4794 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in fcstat in devices.common.IBM.fc.rte in IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 allows local users to gain privileges via a long input parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4794 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the fcstat utility component of IBM AIX operating systems version 5.2 and 5.3. This issue resides within the devices.common.IBM.fc.rte package, which manages Fibre Channel device operations and statistics collection. The buffer overflow occurs when the fcstat utility processes user-supplied input parameters without adequate bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
This technical flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of Buffer Overflow, specifically representing a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability. The vulnerability manifests when a local user provides an excessively long input parameter to the fcstat command, causing the program to write beyond the allocated memory buffer. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within a privileged context, allowing attackers who can execute the fcstat utility to potentially escalate their privileges from standard user level to root or administrative privileges. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise the entire system integrity. Once an attacker successfully exploits this buffer overflow, they can execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, potentially allowing them to install malware, modify system files, create backdoors, or extract sensitive information from the system. The vulnerability affects IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 systems specifically, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments for their robustness and reliability, making this a significant concern for organizations relying on these older operating system versions. The nature of the flaw means that any local user with access to execute fcstat commands could potentially exploit this vulnerability, creating a substantial risk for systems where user access is not properly restricted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official IBM security patches and updates that address the buffer overflow condition in the fcstat utility. Organizations should immediately implement the relevant AIX service packs and security fixes provided by IBM to resolve the issue at the source. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting local user access to the fcstat utility, monitoring for unusual command executions, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other system components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically the T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation tactic, highlighting the need for comprehensive system hardening measures. Organizations should also implement proper input validation controls and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities. Given that AIX 5.2 and 5.3 are legacy systems, organizations should plan for system migration or extended support arrangements to ensure continued security posture maintenance.