CVE-2004-1329

IBM AIX 5.1-5.3 - Untrusted Execution Path via DIAGNOSTICS Environment Variable

Title source: manual
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2004-1329. PoCs published by cees-bart.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a directory traversal vulnerability in the `lsmcode` utility to execute arbitrary commands as root. It creates a malicious `Dctrl` script in `/tmp/aap/bin/` that copies `/bin/sh` to `/tmp/.shh` and sets the SUID bit, granting root privileges.

Description

Untrusted execution path vulnerability in the diag commands (1) lsmcode, (2) diag_exec, (3) invscout, and (4) invscoutd in AIX 5.1 through 5.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary programs by modifying the DIAGNOSTICS environment variable to point to a malicious Dctrl program.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by cees-bart · bashlocalaix
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/701

This exploit leverages a directory traversal vulnerability in the `lsmcode` utility to execute arbitrary commands as root. It creates a malicious `Dctrl` script in `/tmp/aap/bin/` that copies `/bin/sh` to `/tmp/.shh` and sets the SUID bit, granting root privileges.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: lsmcode (likely part of AIX or related systems)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable system with `lsmcode` installed · Write permissions in `/tmp`
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by cees-bart · textlocalaix
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/25039

This exploit leverages a local privilege escalation vulnerability in certain diag applications by manipulating the 'DIAGNOSTICS' environment variable to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. It creates a malicious script that copies and sets the SUID bit on /bin/sh, allowing the attacker to gain root access.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: diag applications (unspecified version)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · Presence of vulnerable diag applications
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (8)

Core 8
Core References
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/701
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_aixapar
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/search.wss?rs=0&q=IY64389&apar=only
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=110355931920123&w=2
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/464276/100/0/threaded
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_aixapar
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/search.wss?rs=0&q=IY64277&apar=only
Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/12041
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/18620
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/464481/100/0/threaded

Scores

EPSS 0.0327
EPSS Percentile 86.8%

Details

Status published
Products (7)
ibm/aix 5.1
ibm/aix 5.1l
ibm/aix 5.2
ibm/aix 5.2.2
ibm/aix 5.2_l
ibm/aix 5.3
ibm/aix 5.3_l
Published Dec 20, 2004
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026