CVE-2008-0310 in UnixWare
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in pkgadd in SCO UnixWare 7.1.4 before p534589 allows local users to create or append to arbitrary files via ".." sequences in an unspecified environment variable, probably PKGINST.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0310 represents a directory traversal flaw within the pkgadd utility of SCO UnixWare 7.1.4 systems. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability specifically affects the package installation process where the system does not adequately restrict file operations that could lead to unauthorized file system access. The flaw manifests when the pkgadd utility processes environment variables, particularly the PKGINST variable, which is commonly used during package installation procedures to specify package identification and installation parameters. When malicious input containing ".." sequences is passed through this environment variable, the system fails to properly resolve the intended file paths, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate file creation or modification operations beyond the intended installation scope.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of environment variables that control package installation behavior. The PKGINST environment variable, which typically contains package identification information, becomes a vector for directory traversal attacks when it contains sequences that traverse parent directories. This weakness allows local users to craft malicious input that bypasses normal file system access controls and directory restrictions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is a well-documented security weakness that enables attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and path resolution mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and security posture. Local users who can manipulate the PKGINST environment variable can potentially create or append to arbitrary files on the system, which could lead to privilege escalation, data corruption, or information disclosure. The impact extends beyond simple file system manipulation as attackers might leverage this weakness to inject malicious code into system files, modify critical configuration data, or establish persistent access mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local privileges can be abused to affect system-wide operations. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell" and T1548.003 for "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Sudo and Sudoers", as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain elevated privileges through file system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patch application from SCO to address the directory traversal flaw in pkgadd utility. System administrators should implement strict environment variable validation and sanitization procedures to prevent malicious input from being processed during package installation operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting local user access to package management utilities and ensuring that environment variables are properly validated before use. Additional protective measures include implementing file system access controls, monitoring for unusual file creation patterns, and conducting regular security audits of package installation processes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper path resolution mechanisms in system utilities, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices in system administration tools. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar path traversal weaknesses in other system utilities and applications.