CVE-2023-45166 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2023
IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and VIOS 3.1 could allow a non-privileged local user to exploit a vulnerability in the piodmgrsu command to obtain elevated privileges. IBM X-Force ID: 267964.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45166 affects IBM AIX operating system versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM VIOS version 3.1, representing a local privilege escalation flaw within the piodmgrsu command. This issue specifically targets non-privileged users who can potentially leverage the vulnerability to gain elevated system privileges, creating a significant security risk for affected systems. The piodmgrsu command serves as a utility within the AIX environment for managing certain system processes, making it a critical component for system administrators and users who interact with system-level operations. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the command execution mechanism, allowing local users to manipulate system access controls through the command interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the piodmgrsu command execution flow, where insufficient input validation and privilege verification mechanisms fail to properly restrict access to system resources. This flaw enables a local attacker to bypass normal access controls and elevate their privileges to system-level access, effectively granting them administrative capabilities within the affected AIX environment. The vulnerability manifests when the command processes user inputs without adequate privilege checks, allowing malicious input to trigger unintended system behavior. According to industry standards, this represents a privilege escalation vulnerability categorized under CWE-276, specifically involving improper privileges for system resources, which aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics where adversaries seek to gain higher-level permissions to maintain persistent access to target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates potential for complete system compromise when exploited by malicious actors. Once a local user successfully elevates their privileges, they can access sensitive system files, modify system configurations, install malicious software, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where AIX systems are deployed for critical business operations, as it undermines the fundamental security model of the operating system. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability requires no special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any user with local access to the system. Organizations using IBM AIX and VIOS platforms must consider the potential for data breaches, system integrity compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-45166 should prioritize immediate patch application from IBM, which addresses the underlying privilege escalation mechanism within the piodmgrsu command. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including regular privilege audits, monitoring for unauthorized command executions, and restricting local access to critical system utilities. Network segmentation and access control policies should be enforced to limit local user access to system resources, while continuous monitoring of system logs for suspicious privilege escalation activities should be implemented. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege management within system utilities and demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing of all system commands that handle user input. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar privilege escalation attacks that could compromise system integrity and availability.