CVE-2002-1983 in RTOS
Summary
by MITRE
The timer implementation in QNX RTOS 6.1.0 allows local users to cause a denial of service (hang) and possibly execute arbitrary code by creating multiple timers with a 1-ms tick.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1983 resides within the timer implementation of QNX Real-Time Operating System version 6.1.0, representing a critical flaw that affects system stability and potentially enables arbitrary code execution. This issue demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the operating system's handling of timer objects, specifically when multiple timers are created with extremely short intervals measured in milliseconds. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and management of timer resources within the kernel-level timer subsystem, creating conditions where normal system operations can be disrupted through deliberate exploitation of timer creation patterns.
The technical flaw manifests when local users exploit the timer subsystem by creating multiple timers with 1-millisecond tick intervals, which overwhelms the system's timer handling mechanisms. This particular timing interval creates a race condition and resource exhaustion scenario within the kernel's timer management code, leading to system hangs or potential privilege escalation. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to compromise the entire system integrity. The implementation lacks proper bounds checking and resource allocation limits for timer objects, allowing malicious or unintended timer creation patterns to destabilize the operating system's core timer functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems relying on QNX RTOS 6.1.0, particularly in industrial control systems, automotive applications, and embedded devices where real-time performance and system stability are critical. The denial of service condition can render systems unresponsive, potentially causing catastrophic failures in safety-critical applications. The possibility of arbitrary code execution adds another dimension of risk, as local attackers could potentially escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability affects systems where multiple timer objects are created simultaneously or in rapid succession, making it particularly relevant in environments with high-frequency timer usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected QNX RTOS installations to the latest available versions that address the timer implementation flaws. System administrators should implement strict timer creation limits and monitoring to prevent excessive timer allocation. The implementation of proper resource management controls and bounds checking within timer subsystems should be enforced through kernel-level security policies. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect abnormal timer creation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 and CWE-131 categories related to improper input validation and insufficient resource management, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through system resource manipulation. The security community should prioritize this vulnerability for remediation in all systems running affected QNX RTOS versions, particularly in critical infrastructure environments where system reliability is paramount.