CVE-2004-0370 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
The setsockopt call in the KAME Project IPv6 implementation, as used in FreeBSD 5.2, does not properly handle certain IPv6 socket options, which could allow attackers to read kernel memory and cause a system panic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0370 represents a critical flaw in the KAME Project IPv6 implementation within FreeBSD 5.2 operating systems. This issue stems from improper handling of specific IPv6 socket options during setsockopt system calls, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces. The vulnerability specifically affects the kernel's network stack implementation where IPv6 socket options are processed, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness through crafted network packets or socket operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation and handling of IPv6 socket options within the kernel's setsockopt function implementation. When certain IPv6 socket options are passed through the setsockopt system call, the KAME implementation fails to properly validate input parameters or enforce appropriate memory boundaries. This improper handling creates a potential information disclosure vulnerability where attackers can craft specific socket option values that cause the kernel to return uninitialized memory contents or sensitive kernel data structures to user-space applications. The flaw also presents a risk for system instability, as the improper memory handling can lead to kernel panics and system crashes.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0370 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass system availability and stability concerns. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially read arbitrary kernel memory locations, which may contain sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential data stored in kernel memory. This information disclosure capability significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems and could enable further attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability's potential to cause system panics means that successful exploitation could result in denial of service conditions, where targeted systems become unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability affects systems running FreeBSD 5.2 with KAME IPv6 implementation, making it particularly concerning for networks relying on these specific operating system versions.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions in software implementations, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory safety issues. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and information gathering through kernel exploitation, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within networks or maintain persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in kernel-level code, as highlighted in various cybersecurity best practices and standards. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected FreeBSD 5.2 systems, as this vulnerability was identified and addressed through official security updates. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider disabling unnecessary IPv6 functionality on systems where it is not required. The incident underscores the critical need for thorough security testing of kernel components and proper input validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in production environments.