CVE-2013-0415 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Sun Solaris 10 allows local users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to the Bind/Postinstall script for Bind package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0415 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Sun Solaris 10 operating system that resides in the Bind/Postinstall script component of the BIND package. This unspecified weakness manifests as a local privilege escalation vulnerability that can potentially compromise the fundamental security tenets of confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the affected system. The vulnerability specifically targets the postinstallation process of the BIND DNS software package, which is a critical component for domain name resolution services in Unix-based systems. The attack vector leverages the privileged execution context of the postinstall script to potentially allow local users to gain elevated system privileges or manipulate critical system resources.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege management and access control mechanisms within the BIND package installation process. The postinstall script executes with elevated privileges to perform necessary system configuration tasks, but contains flaws that permit local users to manipulate the execution environment or inject malicious code that can be executed with root privileges. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that the exact technical mechanism may involve improper input validation, insecure temporary file creation, or privilege escalation through script execution paths that bypass normal security controls. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which encompasses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, and specifically relates to the improper handling of privileges during software installation and configuration processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0415 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise through various attack paths. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, modify critical system files, and potentially disrupt system availability through service manipulation or resource exhaustion attacks. The confidentiality aspect is compromised when attackers can access restricted system information or data that should remain protected. Integrity is threatened as malicious actors can modify system configurations or binaries that are critical to maintaining system security posture. Availability becomes compromised when attackers can manipulate system services or resources to deny legitimate users access to critical system functions. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Solaris 10 systems may be running critical services that depend on BIND for DNS resolution.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access, making it less immediately dangerous than remote exploits but still highly concerning given that local attackers can be present in environments where system access is granted to multiple users or where account compromise occurs through other attack vectors. The attack surface is primarily limited to systems where BIND is installed and where local users have the ability to interact with the system in ways that can influence script execution. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the privilege escalation and persistence tactics where attackers might leverage such weaknesses to establish long-term access to compromised systems. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected Solaris 10 systems, implementation of strict access controls for system installation processes, and monitoring for unauthorized script execution or modification activities. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits to identify other potential privilege escalation vectors within their Solaris environments and ensure that all system components are properly maintained with current security updates. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining secure software installation processes and proper privilege management within enterprise operating systems, as these components form the foundation of system security and can provide attackers with pathways to escalate their access privileges within the target environment.