CVE-2001-1273 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The "mxcsr P4" vulnerability in the Linux kernel before 2.2.17-14, when running on certain Intel CPUs, allows local users to cause a denial of service (system halt).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2018
The CVE-2001-1273 vulnerability represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's handling of Intel Pentium 4 processor specific control and status register operations. This vulnerability specifically targets systems running Linux kernel versions prior to 2.2.17-14 when executing on certain Intel Pentium 4 processors. The issue stems from improper handling of the MXCSR register, which is a 32-bit control and status register used by the Pentium 4's streaming SIMD extensions for managing floating-point operations. When local users execute malicious code that manipulates this register in specific ways, the kernel fails to properly validate or handle the register state, leading to system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper kernel-level handling of the MXCSR register during floating-point operations on Pentium 4 processors. The flaw manifests when the kernel attempts to save or restore the MXCSR register state during context switches or system calls, particularly when dealing with certain floating-point instructions that are specific to the Pentium 4 architecture. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 weakness category, which encompasses improper access to memory locations, and specifically relates to improper handling of processor control registers. The attack vector involves a local user who can manipulate the MXCSR register through crafted floating-point operations, causing the kernel to encounter an invalid register state that triggers a system halt.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the kernel's processor state management capabilities. System administrators and security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a potential threat to system availability, particularly in environments where multiple users have access to the system or where untrusted code execution is possible. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions below 2.2.17-14 on Pentium 4 processors, making it particularly relevant for older enterprise systems and embedded platforms that may not have received timely security updates. Organizations running affected systems face potential risks of system crashes, data loss, and service disruption that could impact business continuity and operational reliability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1273 primarily focus on kernel version updates and system hardening measures. The most effective approach involves upgrading to Linux kernel version 2.2.17-14 or later, which includes proper handling of the MXCSR register operations. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish regular patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing privilege separation measures to limit local user access to system resources and reduce the attack surface for potential exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as it allows local users to cause system instability through kernel-level manipulation of processor state registers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper processor state validation in kernel implementations and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of operating system components against specific hardware architectures.