CVE-2002-1572 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Signed integer overflow in the bttv_read function in the bttv driver (bttv-driver.c) in Linux kernel before 2.4.20 has unknown impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1572 represents a critical signed integer overflow condition within the bttv driver component of the Linux kernel. This issue specifically affects the bttv_read function in the bttv-driver.c file, which is responsible for handling read operations for Brooktree BT8xx series video capture devices. The bttv driver serves as a crucial interface between hardware video capture devices and the operating system kernel, enabling multimedia applications to access video input from various analog and digital sources. The vulnerability exists in kernel versions prior to 2.4.20, indicating a long-standing issue that persisted across multiple releases before receiving a fix. Integer overflow conditions in kernel space represent particularly dangerous security flaws because they can lead to unpredictable behavior that attackers may exploit to gain unauthorized access or cause system instability. The impact of this vulnerability remains unspecified in the original description, which is typical for vulnerabilities discovered before comprehensive security frameworks like the Common Vulnerability Scoring System were widely adopted. The attack vectors are also unspecified, suggesting that the exact methods by which an attacker could leverage this overflow were not fully documented at the time of discovery.
The technical flaw manifests as a signed integer overflow within the bttv_read function, where an attacker can potentially manipulate input parameters to cause the signed integer to exceed its maximum representable value and wrap around to a negative number. This type of overflow commonly occurs when a program performs arithmetic operations on signed integers without proper bounds checking, particularly when dealing with buffer sizes or data lengths that are passed directly from user space to kernel space. In the context of video capture drivers, such overflows can occur when processing video frame data, buffer management, or when handling device-specific parameters that control the amount of data read from hardware. The bttv driver's handling of these operations creates a scenario where malicious input can cause the kernel to interpret data incorrectly, potentially leading to memory corruption or arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and aligns with the broader category of buffer overflow vulnerabilities that have historically been exploited in kernel space to achieve privilege escalation. The lack of specific impact information suggests that this vulnerability could potentially enable attackers to execute code with kernel privileges, making it a serious concern for system security.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1572 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially provide attackers with complete control over affected systems. When an integer overflow occurs in kernel space, the consequences can be severe because the kernel operates with the highest privileges on a system, making successful exploitation potentially devastating. The vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, allowing them to bypass security mechanisms, install persistent backdoors, or access sensitive system information. In practical terms, systems running Linux kernels before version 2.4.20 that utilize BT8xx video capture hardware would be at risk, particularly those that accept untrusted input through video capture applications or device drivers. The bttv driver's functionality makes it a potential attack surface for malicious users who could leverage this vulnerability through applications that interact with video capture devices, such as video conferencing software, surveillance systems, or multimedia applications. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other kernel-level flaws to create more sophisticated attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple security vulnerabilities might exist. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a potential pathway to privilege escalation and system compromise, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1572 primarily focus on updating to kernel versions 2.4.20 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper bounds checking and integer overflow protection mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize upgrading their kernel versions to ensure that the patched bttv driver implementation properly validates input parameters before performing arithmetic operations. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking in the bttv_read function to prevent signed integer overflows from occurring when processing video data from capture devices. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as kernel hardening techniques, disabling unnecessary video capture functionality, and monitoring for suspicious system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by restricting access to systems running vulnerable kernel versions. Regular security audits should include verification of kernel versions and driver implementations to ensure that all systems are protected against known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of timely security updates and proper input validation in kernel space code, particularly for drivers that handle untrusted data from hardware devices. Organizations should maintain updated security patches and regularly review their kernel security configurations to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other kernel components or drivers.