CVE-2007-4795 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in mkpath in bos.rte.methods in IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 allows local users to gain privileges via a long ODM name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4795 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the mkpath function of IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 operating systems. This flaw exists within the bos.rte.methods component, which is part of the base operating system runtime environment responsible for managing system methods and utilities. The vulnerability specifically targets the ODM (Object Data Manager) name handling mechanism, which serves as the central repository for system configuration data in AIX environments. When a local user provides an excessively long ODM name parameter, the mkpath function fails to properly validate input length, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to escalate privileges. This issue falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically classified as a stack-based buffer overflow that enables privilege escalation through memory corruption. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within the system's core runtime environment, allowing local attackers with minimal privileges to potentially elevate their access level to root or system administrator status.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted input sequence that exceeds the allocated buffer space in the mkpath function. The ODM name parameter, which should be limited to a specific length, can be manipulated to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow, potentially allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The attack vector is local in nature, meaning that exploitation requires the attacker to already have access to the system with user-level privileges, but the ultimate goal is to achieve privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption that can be weaponized for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4795 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental weakness in IBM AIX's input validation mechanisms that could affect system integrity and security posture. Organizations running IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 systems are particularly vulnerable to this attack vector, as these versions lack proper bounds checking for ODM name parameters. The vulnerability affects system stability and can potentially lead to system crashes or unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be categorized under T1068 for locally executed commands and T1548 for abuse of privileges. The attack chain typically involves local user access, exploitation of the buffer overflow, and subsequent privilege escalation to gain administrative control over the system. System administrators must consider this vulnerability as a critical threat to their AIX infrastructure security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected IBM AIX systems through official IBM security updates that address the buffer overflow in mkpath function. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls for ODM name parameters and consider deploying runtime protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to reduce exploitability. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious ODM name usage patterns and implement access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper software quality assurance and input validation practices in system-level components. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their AIX environments and maintain updated security baselines that include monitoring for similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other system components. Compliance with security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 becomes critical when managing systems exposed to such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patches to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in system functionality while maintaining the integrity of the ODM system configuration database.