CVE-2005-0815 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple "range checking flaws" in the ISO9660 filesystem handler in Linux 2.6.11 and earlier may allow attackers to cause a denial of service or corrupt memory via a crafted filesystem.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0815 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's handling of ISO9660 filesystems, which are commonly used for optical disc images and CD-ROM operations. This issue affects Linux kernel versions 2.6.11 and earlier, where the filesystem handler lacks proper validation of data structures during the parsing of ISO9660 volume descriptors. The flaw manifests through multiple range checking inconsistencies that occur when the kernel attempts to process malformed or specially crafted filesystem images. These range checking failures create opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory boundaries through carefully constructed ISO9660 filesystem data, potentially leading to system instability or complete system crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel's ISO9660 filesystem driver. When processing filesystem metadata, particularly the volume descriptor set and directory records, the kernel fails to properly validate array indices and buffer boundaries. This allows attackers to craft ISO9660 images containing maliciously formatted data structures that cause the kernel to access memory locations outside of intended boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level where memory corruption can occur through buffer overflows, integer overflows, or improper pointer arithmetic during filesystem parsing operations. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-129, which deals with insufficient validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0815 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. While the primary effect is a system crash or hang when mounting malicious ISO9660 filesystems, the memory corruption aspects could theoretically be exploited to achieve privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution depending on the system configuration and available attack surface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because ISO9660 filesystems are commonly encountered during system boot processes, software installation, and various automated system operations. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into mounting malicious ISO images or by compromising systems where ISO9660 filesystems are automatically mounted. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through kernel vulnerabilities, specifically under the T1068 category for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0815 require immediate kernel updates to versions 2.6.12 or later, where the identified range checking flaws have been addressed through proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict filesystem mounting policies that prevent automatic mounting of removable media containing ISO9660 filesystems, particularly in environments where untrusted users have access to system resources. Network-based attacks can be mitigated through proper firewall rules and access controls that prevent unauthorized mounting of external filesystems. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual filesystem mounting activities or system crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel lockdown mechanisms and disabling unnecessary filesystem support to reduce the attack surface. The fix implemented in subsequent kernel versions addresses the root cause by adding comprehensive range checking and input validation to prevent the exploitation of malformed ISO9660 structures during kernel filesystem parsing operations.