CVE-2003-0859 in C Library
Summary
by MITRE
The getifaddrs function in GNU libc (glibc) 2.2.4 and earlier allows local users to cause a denial of service by sending spoofed messages as other users to the kernel netlink interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0859 represents a significant security flaw within the GNU C Library implementation that affects systems running glibc version 2.2.4 and earlier. This issue specifically targets the getifaddrs function which is responsible for retrieving network interface addresses and their associated information. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the kernel's netlink interface communication pathway, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious local users to manipulate network interface data through crafted spoofed messages. The flaw exists at the intersection of user-space library functionality and kernel-space network management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to disrupt normal system operations without requiring elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the glibc library and the kernel's netlink interface mechanism. When the getifaddrs function processes network interface information, it fails to properly validate the source of incoming messages from the kernel, allowing an attacker to craft malicious netlink messages that appear to originate from legitimate system processes. This spoofing capability enables attackers to manipulate the network interface address information returned by getifaddrs, potentially causing applications that depend on this function to misinterpret network configuration data. The vulnerability operates at the system call level where user-space applications interact with kernel network subsystems, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard application-level security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0859 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise network application integrity and system stability. Local attackers can exploit this vulnerability to cause applications that rely on getifaddrs for network configuration discovery to crash or behave unpredictably, effectively creating a denial of service condition that affects system availability. More critically, the vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate network interface information in ways that might facilitate further attacks, such as redirecting network traffic or bypassing network-based security controls. Systems running affected glibc versions are particularly vulnerable because the flaw exists in a core system library that numerous applications depend upon, amplifying the potential impact across the entire system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of glibc where the validation mechanisms have been strengthened to properly verify message sources from the kernel netlink interface. System administrators should prioritize updating their glibc installations to versions that address this specific validation weakness, as the vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the library's interaction with kernel network subsystems. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring network interface changes can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider applying system hardening measures such as restricting local user privileges and monitoring for unauthorized network configuration changes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and represents a classic example of how insufficient validation in system libraries can create persistent security weaknesses that affect multiple applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through system interaction, where local users can leverage library flaws to gain unauthorized control over system network operations and potentially escalate their privileges through cascading effects on dependent applications.