CVE-2002-1380 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Linux kernel 2.2.x allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) by using the mmap() function with a PROT_READ parameter to access non-readable memory pages through the /proc/pid/mem interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1380 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel version 2.2.x family that enables local privilege escalation and denial of service conditions through improper memory management handling. This vulnerability specifically exploits the interaction between the mmap() system call and the /proc/pid/mem interface, creating a scenario where malicious processes can manipulate memory access permissions to trigger system crashes. The issue stems from inadequate validation of memory protection flags when accessing process memory through the proc filesystem, particularly when the PROT_READ flag is used in conjunction with memory mappings that should otherwise be restricted from read access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the /proc/pid/mem interface which provides direct access to a process's memory space for debugging and monitoring purposes. When a local user process attempts to map memory using mmap() with PROT_READ parameter while accessing another process's memory through /proc/pid/mem, the kernel fails to properly validate whether the target memory pages actually possess read permissions. This oversight allows attackers to bypass normal memory protection mechanisms and access memory regions that should be restricted, leading to kernel memory corruption and subsequent system crashes. The flaw operates at the kernel level and requires local access to exploit, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability that can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can result in complete system instability and denial of service conditions that affect all running processes on the affected system. The kernel crash triggered by this vulnerability can cause immediate system shutdown or reboot, potentially leading to data loss and service interruption. In environments where the affected kernel version is deployed, particularly in server configurations or systems handling sensitive data, this vulnerability poses significant operational risks as local users with minimal privileges can exploit it to compromise system availability. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to security principles such as the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, as the kernel fails to maintain proper memory boundary checks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119: Improper Access to Memory and CWE-248: Uncaught Exception categories, representing a classic case of improper memory access control where kernel-level protections are bypassed through flawed validation logic. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables local users to escalate privileges and cause system-wide service disruption. Mitigation strategies should include immediate kernel updates to versions that address this specific memory management flaw, implementation of proper access controls for /proc/pid/mem interface, and monitoring for suspicious mmap() system calls with inappropriate memory protection flags. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as process isolation, privilege restriction, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of similar memory access vulnerabilities in the kernel. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel memory management and access control validation, particularly when dealing with inter-process memory access mechanisms that are critical for system debugging and monitoring operations.