CVE-2003-0247 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in the TTY layer of the Linux kernel 2.4 allows attackers to cause a denial of service ("kernel oops").
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0247 represents a critical flaw within the Linux kernel's TTY layer implementation in version 2.4 series. This issue manifests as a kernel oops condition that can be triggered by malicious actors, leading to system instability and potential denial of service scenarios. The TTY layer serves as a fundamental component responsible for terminal input/output operations and serial communication handling within the kernel, making it a critical subsystem for system functionality. When exploited, this vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with kernel-level programming errors that can be leveraged to disrupt normal system operations without requiring elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain TTY operations that result in kernel memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns. A kernel oops occurs when the kernel encounters an unexpected condition that it cannot handle gracefully, typically resulting in system crashes or reboot cycles. In the context of the TTY subsystem, this flaw likely involves scenarios where malformed input data or specific sequence of operations triggers an improper kernel state transition. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service indicates that attackers can repeatedly exploit this condition to maintain system unavailability, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where system uptime is critical.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0247 extends beyond simple system crashes to encompass broader security implications for Linux-based systems running kernel version 2.4. Organizations utilizing affected systems face potential disruptions to critical services, data processing workflows, and overall system availability. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require special privileges, meaning any user with access to the system can potentially trigger the denial of service condition. This characteristic places significant strain on system administrators who must maintain availability guarantees while managing legacy kernel versions. The TTY subsystem's role in handling serial communications and terminal operations means that exploitation could affect systems ranging from embedded devices to enterprise servers.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as an example of how low-level kernel components can present significant attack surfaces when proper input validation and error handling mechanisms are absent. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic case of improper resource management within kernel space. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as it allows unprivileged users to disrupt system operations and potentially create conditions that could facilitate further exploitation attempts. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts through kernel oops patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current kernel versions and implementing robust security practices that include regular vulnerability assessments and system hardening procedures to prevent similar issues from compromising system integrity.