CVE-2004-1334 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the ip_options_get function in the Linux kernel before 2.6.10 allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel crash) via a cmsg_len that contains a -1, which leads to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1334 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Linux kernel's networking stack, specifically affecting the ip_options_get function. This issue exists in kernel versions prior to 2.6.10 and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to system instability. The vulnerability arises from the kernel's handling of control message lengths in socket operations, where the cmsg_len field receives a value of -1, which when processed through integer arithmetic causes an overflow condition that ultimately results in a buffer overflow scenario.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the kernel's failure to properly validate the cmsg_len parameter when processing socket control messages. When a local user crafts a socket control message with a cmsg_len field set to -1, the kernel's ip_options_get function performs arithmetic operations that exceed the bounds of the allocated buffer space. This integer overflow condition occurs because the kernel treats the negative value as an unsigned integer, leading to an unexpectedly large buffer allocation request that exceeds available memory boundaries. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the networking subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges beyond normal user access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant denial of service risk that can bring down the entire kernel instance. The buffer overflow condition results in a kernel crash that requires system reboot to recover from, effectively rendering the affected system unavailable for legitimate use. Local users can exploit this vulnerability to repeatedly crash the kernel, creating persistent availability issues that can be particularly damaging in production environments. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as kernel crashes can lead to data loss, system instability, and potential compromise of other running services that depend on stable kernel operations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how such flaws can be leveraged to create denial of service scenarios in kernel space. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability represents a privilege escalation vector through local user exploitation, potentially enabling attackers to achieve persistent system compromise. The exploit requires local access but can be automated to repeatedly crash the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local users have access to system resources. Mitigation strategies should include immediate kernel updates to versions 2.6.10 and later, along with implementing proper input validation mechanisms that prevent negative values from being processed in buffer allocation calculations. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual kernel crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future kernel versions.