CVE-2008-1056 in PowerBroker
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Symark PowerBroker 2.8 through 5.0.1 allow local users to gain privileges via a long argv[0] string when executing (1) pbrun, (2) pbsh, or (3) pbksh. NOTE: the product is often installed in environments with trust relationships that facilitate subsequent remote compromises.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1056 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting Symark PowerBroker versions 2.8 through 5.0.1. This vulnerability specifically targets three key executables: pbrun, pbsh, and pbksh which are integral components of the PowerBroker privilege management system. The flaw occurs when these executables process command-line arguments, particularly the argv[0] parameter, which serves as the program name in the argument vector. When an attacker supplies an excessively long argv[0] string, the program fails to properly validate the input length, leading to a buffer overflow condition that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw exploits the fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms within the PowerBroker executables, specifically in how they handle the initial command-line argument. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain higher-level access. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the return address and other critical stack variables can be overwritten, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow and execute malicious code with the privileges of the target process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as the affected PowerBroker installations often operate within environments that establish trust relationships between systems. These trust relationships create attack vectors where local privilege escalation can lead to broader compromise of network infrastructure, particularly in enterprise environments where PowerBroker is commonly deployed to manage administrative privileges across multiple systems. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the fact that PowerBroker is designed to provide privileged access to users, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to bypass normal access controls and gain elevated system privileges. Organizations deploying PowerBroker in environments with trust relationships face heightened risk, as a local attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially move laterally through trusted network connections.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1056 should focus on immediate patching of affected PowerBroker installations to versions that address the buffer overflow conditions in the targeted executables. System administrators should also implement input validation measures and monitor for unusual command-line argument patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their trust relationships and privilege management policies to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in security-critical applications, particularly those handling privileged operations and user inputs. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other system components, as this type of flaw represents a common attack vector in privilege escalation scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security controls such as application whitelisting and runtime application protection mechanisms to defend against exploitation attempts targeting these types of vulnerabilities.