CVE-2007-4796 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in uucp in bos.net.uucp 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-2007-4796 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the uucp utility component of IBM AIX operating systems version 5.2 and 5.3. This issue resides within the bos.net.uucp package, which provides Unix to Unix Copy Protocol functionality essential for remote file transfers and system communications. The buffer overflow vulnerability specifically affects the uucp program that handles communication between Unix systems, making it a potential entry point for privilege escalation attacks. The flaw manifests when the program processes input data without proper bounds checking, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a core system utility that many administrative processes depend upon, creating multiple attack vectors for local users who may already have limited system access.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the uucp utility's handling of command line arguments or input parameters that are processed without adequate validation of their length or content. When malicious input exceeds the allocated buffer space, it overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program execution flow or data structures. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack data. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that uucp is often executed with elevated privileges, particularly in contexts where it handles system-level communications or manages user accounts. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it allows local users to potentially escalate their privileges from standard user level to root or administrative privileges, depending on how the uucp utility is configured and executed within the system's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised system. Local attackers who can execute code through this vulnerability may gain access to sensitive system files, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors within the AIX environment. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who have basic system access but not administrative rights. This vulnerability can be leveraged in conjunction with other system weaknesses to create a complete compromise scenario where attackers can maintain long-term access to the system. The presence of this vulnerability in widely deployed AIX versions 5.2 and 5.3 creates a significant risk for organizations running these operating systems, particularly those in financial services, government, or critical infrastructure sectors where system integrity is paramount. Security professionals must consider the potential for lateral movement within networks where multiple AIX systems are deployed, as exploitation of this vulnerability on one system could provide a foothold for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4796 should focus on immediate patch deployment from IBM, as the vendor has provided specific fixes for this vulnerability in affected AIX versions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user access to systems where uucp is enabled or necessary, particularly in environments where the utility is not required for legitimate business operations. System administrators should review and disable unnecessary uucp services or configurations that might expose the vulnerable component to potential attackers. The implementation of proper input validation and bounds checking in all system utilities should be enforced through security hardening practices and code review processes. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual uucp activity or privilege escalation attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for uucp utility usage and ensure that any remaining uucp functionality is properly secured through access controls and audit logging. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of system utilities for gaining elevated access rights, making it a critical component of overall security posture assessment and incident response planning.