CVE-2011-0412 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle Solaris 8, 9, and 10 stores back-out patch files (undo.Z) unencrypted with world-readable permissions under /var/sadm/pkg/, which allows local users to obtain password hashes and conduct brute force password guessing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-0412 represents a critical security flaw in Oracle Solaris operating systems version 8, 9, and 10 that stems from improper file permission handling during patch management operations. This issue occurs when the system applies patches and subsequently creates back-out patch files named undo.Z within the /var/sadm/pkg/ directory. The flaw manifests through the creation of these files with world-readable permissions, effectively exposing sensitive information to all local users on the system. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and information protection, as it provides unauthorized access to cryptographic material that should remain confidential.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the patch management subsystem of Solaris, specifically the mechanism responsible for handling rollback files when patches are applied. When a patch is installed, the system generates undo.Z files that contain information necessary to reverse the patch installation process. These files are created without proper access controls, inheriting default permissions that allow read access to all users on the system. The presence of these files in the /var/sadm/pkg/ directory, which is a standard location for package management operations, creates a persistent security exposure that remains active throughout the system's operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to enable active exploitation through password cracking attacks. Local users who can access the undo.Z files gain access to password hashes that were previously protected by proper file permissions. This exposure allows attackers to conduct offline brute force attacks against password databases, significantly reducing the time and computational resources required to compromise user accounts. The vulnerability affects the authentication security model of Solaris systems by undermining the integrity of password protection mechanisms, as the hashes contained within these files provide attackers with sufficient information to attempt dictionary attacks or brute force methods against user credentials.
This vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE classifications including CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and CWE-310, which covers cryptographic weaknesses. The flaw also corresponds to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation through information discovery. The persistence of this vulnerability across multiple Solaris versions demonstrates a systemic issue in the patch management implementation that affects organizations maintaining legacy systems. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how system administration tools can inadvertently create security exposure points through insufficient access control enforcement during normal operational procedures.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies focusing on proper file permissions and access control enforcement. The primary remediation involves ensuring that patch rollback files are created with restrictive permissions that prevent unauthorized access, typically requiring root or administrative privileges for read access. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of the /var/sadm/pkg/ directory to identify existing exposed files and modify the patch management processes to enforce proper file access controls. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system directories and establish regular security assessments to identify similar permission-related vulnerabilities in other system components.