CVE-2001-1394 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Signedness error in (1) getsockopt and (2) setsockopt for Linux kernel before 2.2.19 allows local users to cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1394 represents a critical signedness error within the Linux kernel's socket option handling mechanisms. This flaw exists in the getsockopt and setsockopt system calls that are fundamental components of network programming interfaces. The issue manifests in kernel versions prior to 2.2.19 where improper handling of signed and unsigned integer conversions creates a condition that can be exploited by local users to trigger system instability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how the kernel processes socket option parameters during the getsockopt and setsockopt system calls. When these functions handle certain socket option types, they perform operations that involve signedness conversion errors in their internal calculations. Specifically, the kernel fails to properly validate the signedness of parameters passed to these functions, leading to potential integer overflow conditions or incorrect memory access patterns. This signedness error creates a scenario where legitimate socket operations can inadvertently trigger kernel memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to system availability and stability. Local users who can execute processes on the target system can exploit this flaw to cause a denial of service condition that affects the entire kernel. The attack vector requires only local execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by compromised accounts or malicious insiders. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially causing kernel panics or system crashes that require manual intervention and system restarts.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-191, which describes integer underflow or overflow conditions, and relates to the broader category of kernel-level memory management flaws that can be exploited for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1063 which covers the use of system calls to manipulate kernel state, and potentially T1499 for denial of service operations. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of how low-level kernel programming errors can create exploitable conditions that bypass traditional security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1394 primarily involve upgrading to Linux kernel versions 2.2.19 or later where the signedness error has been corrected. System administrators should implement immediate patching procedures to address this vulnerability, particularly in environments where local user access cannot be strictly controlled. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls, monitoring for unusual socket operations, and maintaining up-to-date kernel security patches. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper integer handling in kernel code and the necessity of thorough code review processes for system-level software components.