CVE-2017-1093 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
IBM AIX 6.1, 7.1, and 7.2 could allow a local user to exploit a vulnerability in the bellmail binary to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1093 affects IBM AIX operating systems version 6.1, 7.1, and 7.2, presenting a critical local privilege escalation risk through the bellmail binary component. This flaw enables a local attacker to escalate their privileges from a standard user account to the root administrative level, fundamentally compromising system security and integrity. The bellmail binary, which handles mail notification services in AIX environments, contains a security weakness that can be exploited by malicious users with local access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the bellmail binary execution context. When the binary processes certain mail notifications, it fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters that control the execution flow. This design flaw creates a path where a local user can manipulate the binary's behavior to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically relates to insufficient access controls and privilege separation mechanisms that should normally prevent non-root users from gaining administrative capabilities through legitimate system binaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to system security as it allows local attackers to bypass traditional security controls and gain complete system control. Once exploited, the attacker can modify system files, install malicious software, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects organizations running IBM AIX systems where local user access might be compromised through social engineering, credential theft, or other attack vectors that provide initial access to the system.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities. It also corresponds to CWE-269, which addresses improper privilege management in software implementations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches, restricting local user access where possible, and monitoring for suspicious bellmail binary executions. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as discretionary access control policies and regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against local privilege escalation attacks that can compromise entire system infrastructures.