CVE-2005-0137 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Linux kernel 2.6 on Itanium (ia64) architectures allows local users to cause a denial of service via a "missing Itanium syscall table entry."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0137 represents a critical denial of service weakness affecting Linux kernel versions 2.6 specifically on Itanium architecture systems. This issue stems from a fundamental missing component within the kernel's system call handling mechanism, creating a scenario where legitimate system operations can be disrupted through carefully crafted malicious input. The vulnerability is particularly significant because Itanium processors represent a specialized architecture with distinct system call interfaces compared to more common x86 platforms, making this issue more narrowly scoped but potentially more impactful for affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing entry within the Itanium syscall table, which serves as a critical lookup mechanism for system call invocations on ia64 architecture systems. When a local user attempts to execute a system call that lacks a proper table entry, the kernel fails to properly handle this scenario, leading to system instability and eventual denial of service conditions. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level and requires local user access, making it a local privilege escalation issue that could potentially be exploited by malicious users with limited system access. The missing syscall table entry creates a path where system call execution fails to properly route through the kernel's syscall handling infrastructure, resulting in system crashes or lockups.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system unavailability, as it affects the fundamental stability of Itanium-based Linux systems. Local users can exploit this weakness to disrupt normal system operations, potentially causing complete system downtime that requires manual intervention for recovery. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel 2.6 on Itanium hardware, which includes various enterprise and high-performance computing environments where these specialized processors are deployed. Given the nature of the flaw, the impact is particularly concerning for mission-critical systems where availability is paramount, as even a single exploited instance could result in service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0137 focus primarily on kernel updates and system hardening measures. The most effective approach involves applying the appropriate kernel patches that restore the missing syscall table entries and ensure proper system call handling on Itanium architectures. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions that contain the necessary fixes, as these patches address the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized local user activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory safety issues and improper access to memory regions, while also relating to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation pathways. Organizations should also consider implementing process monitoring and system integrity checks to detect anomalous syscall behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.