CVE-2011-1384 in invscout.rte
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) bin/invscoutClient_VPD_Survey and (2) sbin/invscout_lsvpd programs in invscout.rte before 2.2.0.19 on IBM AIX 7.1, 6.1, 5.3, and earlier allow local users to delete arbitrary files, or trigger inventory scout operations on arbitrary files, via a symlink attack on an unspecified file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-1384 represents a critical path traversal and symbolic link attack weakness affecting IBM AIX systems running invscout.rte versions prior to 2.2.0.19. This security flaw manifests in two specific executable programs located within the inventory scout framework, namely bin/invscoutClient_VPD_Survey and sbin/invscout_lsvpd, which are designed to collect hardware inventory information from IBM AIX systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper file handling mechanisms within these programs, creating opportunities for local attackers to exploit the system through carefully crafted symbolic link attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of symbolic links to gain unauthorized access to system resources beyond the intended scope of the inventory scanning operations. When these programs process files, they fail to properly validate the target file paths, allowing attackers to create malicious symbolic links that point to sensitive system files or directories. This weakness enables attackers to either delete arbitrary files that the programs might attempt to access or force the programs to execute operations on unintended files, effectively bypassing normal access controls and file system protections. The vulnerability operates at the file system level and leverages the inherent trust placed in the inventory scanning processes, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with minimal privileges who can still manipulate the system's file operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and system compromise. Local attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate the inventory scanning process and potentially gain access to sensitive system information or disrupt normal system operations. The vulnerability affects multiple IBM AIX versions including 7.1, 6.1, and 5.3, indicating a widespread exposure across the platform's lifecycle. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-367, which addresses time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) race conditions, and represents a classic example of insecure temporary file handling that can be exploited through symbolic link attacks. The attack vector specifically relates to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1548.001 for abuse of privileges, as local users can leverage this weakness to escalate their access level within the system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for invscout.rte version 2.2.0.19 or later, which addresses the symbolic link handling issues in the affected programs. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any instances of the vulnerable software and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additionally, implementing proper file system permissions and access controls can help mitigate the impact of such attacks by limiting the ability of local users to create symbolic links in system directories. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious file operations and implementing logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their overall security posture, as it demonstrates the importance of validating file system operations and implementing proper input sanitization in system utilities.