CVE-2008-7300 in OpenSolaris
Summary
by MITRE
The labeled networking implementation in Solaris Trusted Extensions in Sun Solaris 10 and OpenSolaris snv_39 through snv_67, when a labeled zone is in the installed state, allows remote authenticated users to bypass a Mandatory Access Control (MAC) policy and obtain access to the global zone.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-7300 represents a critical flaw in the mandatory access control mechanisms of Sun Solaris 10 and OpenSolaris systems running Trusted Extensions. This issue specifically targets the labeled networking implementation within the Trusted Extensions framework, which is designed to enforce strict security policies through label-based access controls. The flaw exists in the transition state between labeled zones and the global zone, creating an unauthorized access path that undermines the fundamental security model of the operating system. The vulnerability affects systems where labeled zones are in the installed state, making it particularly concerning for environments that rely on security labels to separate sensitive data and operations.
The technical implementation flaw stems from insufficient validation mechanisms during the zone lifecycle management process. When a labeled zone transitions to the installed state, the system fails to properly enforce the mandatory access control policies that should prevent unauthorized communication between the labeled zone and the global zone. This misconfiguration allows authenticated remote attackers to exploit a path that bypasses the normal security boundaries established by the Trusted Extensions framework. The vulnerability specifically targets the network communication protocols and access control enforcement points within the kernel-level networking stack, where the security labels are not properly validated during the zone transition process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using Solaris Trusted Extensions. Attackers who can authenticate to the system can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the global zone, which typically contains critical system resources, administrative functions, and potentially sensitive data that should be isolated from labeled zones. This breach effectively neutralizes the security isolation that Trusted Extensions are designed to provide, allowing lateral movement and privilege escalation within the system. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access system configuration files, administrative interfaces, and other resources that should remain protected by the mandatory access control policies. Organizations relying on this security model for data classification and access control face significant risk of information disclosure and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7300 should focus on immediate patch application from Oracle, as this vulnerability requires kernel-level fixes that cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes alone. System administrators should implement network segmentation and additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts to the global zone. The implementation of additional authentication layers and network access controls can help reduce the attack surface, though these measures do not fully compensate for the underlying security flaw. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred before patching. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability relates to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, while ATT&CK framework references would categorize this under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. The recommended approach includes applying the appropriate Solaris patches, reviewing zone configurations, and implementing enhanced monitoring for suspicious network activity between labeled zones and the global zone.