CVE-2009-3390 in OpenSolaris
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the (1) iscsiadm and (2) iscsitadm programs in Sun Solaris 10, and OpenSolaris snv_28 through snv_109, allow local users with certain RBAC execution profiles to gain privileges via unknown vectors related to the libima library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3390 represents a critical privilege escalation issue affecting Sun Solaris 10 and various OpenSolaris versions from snv_28 through snv_109. This flaw resides within the iSCSI administration tools, specifically impacting the iscsiadm and iscsitadm programs that manage iSCSI storage connections. The vulnerability stems from unspecified weaknesses in the libima library component which serves as an intermediary for iSCSI management operations. These programs operate with elevated privileges necessary for storage configuration and management tasks, creating a potential attack surface for local users who possess specific Role-Based Access Control execution profiles.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unknown vectors that leverage the libima library's handling of iSCSI administrative functions. The flaw allows local attackers with particular RBAC profiles to bypass normal privilege restrictions and execute operations that should otherwise require higher-level system permissions. This represents a significant deviation from expected security boundaries since the iSCSI administration tools typically operate under strict privilege controls to prevent unauthorized modification of storage configurations. The vulnerability essentially creates a pathway for privilege elevation that circumvents the normal access control mechanisms designed to protect system integrity and storage management functions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to enterprise storage environments where Solaris systems are deployed. Local users with access to specific RBAC profiles could potentially escalate their privileges to gain root-level access or execute unauthorized storage management operations that might compromise data integrity and system availability. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation since iSCSI management involves critical storage operations that could be exploited to manipulate storage configurations, access sensitive data, or disrupt storage connectivity. The vulnerability affects systems where iSCSI storage is actively configured and managed, making it particularly concerning for data center environments where storage administration is a routine administrative task.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3390 should focus on immediate patch application from Oracle as the primary remediation measure, since this vulnerability affects core system components that cannot be effectively secured through configuration changes alone. Organizations should also implement strict RBAC policies to limit which users can execute the affected iSCSI administration tools, ensuring that only authorized personnel with legitimate storage management requirements have access to these privileged operations. Network segmentation and monitoring of iSCSI management activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which covers improper privileges, and represents a classic example of privilege escalation through library component weaknesses. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be leveraged in lateral movement scenarios where attackers seek to establish persistent access to storage infrastructure. System administrators should also conduct thorough access reviews to ensure that execution profiles assigned to users do not unnecessarily include permissions for iSCSI administration tools, thereby reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation.