CVE-2008-5385 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
enq in bos.rte.printers in IBM AIX 6.1.0 through 6.1.2, when a print queue is defined in /etc/qconfig, allows local users to delete arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5385 resides within the IBM AIX operating system's print queue management component known as enq in bos.rte.printers. This flaw affects IBM AIX versions 6.1.0 through 6.1.2 and represents a critical local privilege escalation issue that enables unauthorized users to delete arbitrary files from the system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when print queues are defined in the /etc/qconfig configuration file, creating an exploitable condition that bypasses normal file system access controls. The unspecified vectors through which this attack occurs suggest a fundamental flaw in how the system handles file operations during print queue processing, potentially involving improper input validation or privilege handling mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The flaw essentially allows local users to manipulate the print queue configuration in such a way that they can execute file deletion operations against any file on the system that the printing service has access to. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability since the local user can leverage the print queue management functionality to perform destructive operations that should normally be restricted to system administrators. The attack vector likely involves manipulation of the qconfig file or related print queue parameters that are processed by the enq utility, potentially through symbolic link manipulation or direct file path injection.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk for IBM AIX systems running the affected versions. Local users who can access the system can exploit this flaw to delete critical system files, configuration files, or user data, potentially leading to system instability, data loss, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the local user level, meaning that even users with minimal privileges can cause substantial damage to the system. The impact extends beyond simple file deletion as the ability to remove critical system components could lead to denial of service conditions or create opportunities for further exploitation. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to establish persistent access or escalate their privileges to root level.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5385 should focus on immediate system hardening and patch management. Organizations should apply the relevant IBM AIX security patches that address this specific vulnerability in the bos.rte.printers component. System administrators should also implement additional controls such as restricting local user access to print queue configuration files and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to /etc/qconfig. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that only authorized administrators have access to print queue management utilities and configuration files. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be employed to detect suspicious file deletion activities. Additionally, implementing file integrity monitoring tools can help detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in system components, particularly those handling user-supplied data in configuration files. The flaw serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing of system utilities and proper access control implementation in operating system components.