CVE-2008-5386 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ndp in IBM AIX 6.1.0 through 6.1.2, when the netcd daemon is running, allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5386 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the ndp component of IBM AIX operating systems version 6.1.0 through 6.1.2. This flaw specifically manifests when the netcd daemon is actively running on the system, creating a potential privilege escalation vector for local attackers who can exploit the vulnerable code path. The buffer overflow occurs within the network daemon functionality, which processes network configuration data and handles network device communication protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ndp module's handling of network configuration data. When the netcd daemon processes network device information, it fails to adequately validate the length of input data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, meaning any user with access to the system can potentially exploit it to escalate privileges to root level access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to IBM AIX environments, particularly those running the netcd daemon service. The local privilege escalation capability means that attackers who gain initial access to a system through other means can leverage this vulnerability to obtain administrative privileges without requiring additional authentication. The attack vector is relatively simple to exploit since it does not require network connectivity or complex attack chains, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible. Organizations running affected IBM AIX versions are at risk of complete system compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to full administrative control over the affected systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow," and potentially CWE-122, "Heap-based Buffer Overflow," depending on the specific memory allocation patterns within the affected code. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers would need to execute commands to exploit the buffer overflow and subsequently leverage the privilege escalation. The netcd daemon's role in network device management makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers targeting enterprise network infrastructure, as compromising these services can provide access to critical network configuration data and control mechanisms.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the relevant IBM AIX security patches and updates that address this specific buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should also consider disabling the netcd daemon service if it is not required for business operations, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly around local user activity and privilege escalation events. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other instances of similar buffer overflow conditions within the IBM AIX environment and other system components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in system-level software components, particularly those handling network configuration data and privileged operations.