CVE-2008-1369 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
A certain incorrect Sun Solaris 10 image on SPARC Enterprise T5120 and T5220 servers has /etc/default/login and /etc/ssh/sshd_config files that configure root logins in a manner unintended by the vendor, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1369 represents a critical misconfiguration issue affecting Sun Solaris 10 systems deployed on SPARC Enterprise T5120 and T5220 server platforms. This flaw stems from improper default configuration files that were included in specific system images, creating security weaknesses that could be exploited by remote attackers to escalate privileges. The affected systems utilize the SPARC architecture and are part of Oracle's enterprise server lineup, which typically serves mission-critical applications requiring robust security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves misconfigured system files that control authentication and access controls. Specifically, the /etc/default/login file and /etc/ssh/sshd_config configuration files contain settings that deviate from vendor-recommended security practices. These files govern how the system handles root login sessions and SSH daemon configurations, creating pathways for unauthorized privilege escalation. The configuration issues likely involve overly permissive access controls, weak authentication mechanisms, or improper session management that bypass standard security enforcement measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this weakness could gain root-level access to affected Solaris 10 systems, enabling them to execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects enterprise servers that typically host critical business applications and sensitive information, making the potential impact substantial for organizations relying on these platforms for their operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which addresses improper privilege management, and relates to the broader category of misconfiguration vulnerabilities that frequently appear in enterprise systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access methods, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation tactic and T1550 use of valid credentials technique. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects enterprise server hardware where systems often operate with elevated privileges and access to sensitive organizational resources.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including verifying system images against official vendor releases, manually reviewing and correcting the /etc/default/login and /etc/ssh/sshd_config files, and applying relevant security patches provided by Oracle. Regular security audits should verify that system configurations align with security best practices, particularly focusing on authentication controls and access management. Network segmentation and monitoring controls should be enhanced to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while privileged access controls should be strictly enforced through proper identity and access management practices.