CVE-2008-2515 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in iostat in IBM AIX 5.2, 5.3, and 6.1 allows local users to gain privileges via unknown vectors related to an "environment variable handling error."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2515 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the iostat utility on IBM AIX operating systems versions 5.2, 5.3, and 6.1. This issue stems from improper handling of environment variables within the iostat command execution context, creating a pathway for local attackers to elevate their system privileges. The unspecified nature of the exact vulnerability vectors makes this flaw particularly concerning as it may encompass multiple attack surfaces within the environment variable processing mechanism. The iostat utility, designed for system performance monitoring, becomes a potential attack vector when exploited through environment variable manipulation. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the system's access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how the iostat command processes environment variables during execution, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the execution environment to gain elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of environment variable manipulation attacks and can be classified as a CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command) or CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used for a Command) depending on the specific exploitation method. The flaw likely exists in the command execution or environment variable parsing code where insufficient validation or sanitization occurs. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious environment variables that, when processed by iostat, result in unintended command execution or privilege escalation. The vulnerability's presence in multiple AIX versions indicates a widespread issue affecting the operating system's core utilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2515 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system resources and data. Local users who can execute iostat commands gain the ability to elevate their privileges to root level, which could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to confidential information. This vulnerability can be exploited as part of a broader attack chain, potentially enabling lateral movement within a network or persistent access to compromised systems. The implications align with ATT&CK techniques such as privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, where attackers can establish more stable access to target systems. Organizations running these AIX versions face significant risk as the vulnerability allows for unauthorized elevation of privileges without requiring network access or specialized tools beyond the ability to execute iostat commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2515 should focus on immediate system hardening and patch management. IBM released security fixes for affected AIX versions that address the environment variable handling error in iostat. System administrators should prioritize applying the relevant security patches and updates from IBM to remediate this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing strict environment variable controls, monitoring for unauthorized iostat usage, and restricting local user access to system monitoring utilities. The use of privilege separation mechanisms and regular security audits can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous environment variable usage patterns and privilege escalation activities. Compliance with security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 can provide frameworks for managing this type of vulnerability effectively. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of environment variable handling in system utilities to prevent similar issues from being overlooked.