CVE-2017-3623 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Solaris component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Kernel RPC). For supported versions that are affected see note. Easily "exploitable" vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Solaris. While the vulnerability is in Solaris, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Solaris. Note: CVE-2017-3623 is assigned for "Ebbisland". Solaris 10 systems which have had any Kernel patch installed after, or updated via patching tools since 2012-01-26 are not impacted. Also, any Solaris 10 system installed with Solaris 10 1/13 (Solaris 10 Update 11) are not vulnerable. Solaris 11 is not impacted by this issue. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 10.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3623 represents a critical security flaw within the Solaris kernel RPC subsystem, specifically affecting Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite. This vulnerability resides in the kernel-level remote procedure call implementation that handles network communications between system components. The flaw manifests as an unchecked buffer in the kernel's RPC processing code, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where Solaris systems are exposed to external networks. The affected component operates at the kernel level, meaning successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete system control, including the ability to execute arbitrary code with the highest privileges available to the kernel.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the kernel RPC processing routines. When the kernel receives RPC requests, it fails to properly validate the size of incoming data buffers, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that can overwrite kernel memory. This buffer overflow condition occurs during the processing of network-based RPC calls that utilize multiple protocols, including TCP and UDP, making the attack surface broader across different network communication channels. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate Solaris system as noted in the advisory, since successful exploitation can provide attackers with root-level access that enables further lateral movement within networks. The CVSS 3.0 score of 10.0 reflects the severity of the impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains, indicating that attackers can achieve complete system compromise without requiring any user interaction or privileged access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3623 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that maintain Solaris systems in production environments. Systems running vulnerable versions of Solaris 10 can be fully compromised by remote attackers, potentially leading to complete data breaches, system takeover, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's network-based exploitation capability means that organizations with exposed Solaris systems face immediate risk, particularly those with systems accessible from the internet or untrusted networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate data, or use compromised systems as launch points for further attacks against other networked systems. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that Solaris systems often serve critical infrastructure functions, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on these systems for business operations.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-3623 should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their Solaris systems. The most effective approach involves applying the relevant Oracle security patches that address the kernel RPC buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Solaris systems to untrusted networks. The advisory specifically notes that Solaris 10 systems with kernel patches installed after January 26, 2012, or systems running Solaris 10 1/13 (Update 11) are not vulnerable, providing clear guidance for organizations to assess their system configurations. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious RPC activity and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121 for stack-based buffer overflow conditions and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and potential post-exploitation activities.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and proper security hygiene in enterprise environments. The fact that Solaris 11 systems are not affected highlights the importance of software version management and timely patch deployment. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes that include regular vulnerability assessments, automated patch deployment, and continuous monitoring of security advisories from vendors like Oracle. The vulnerability's severity and exploitability underscore the need for organizations to maintain detailed inventories of their Solaris systems and ensure proper patching procedures are in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.