CVE-2005-1765 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
syscall in the Linux kernel 2.6.8.1 and 2.6.10 for the AMD64 platform, when running in 32-bit compatibility mode, allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel hang) via crafted arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1765 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's system call handling mechanism on AMD64 platforms operating in 32-bit compatibility mode. This issue affects specifically kernel versions 2.6.8.1 and 2.6.10, where the kernel's syscall implementation contains a flaw that can be exploited to trigger a kernel hang, effectively causing a denial of service condition that renders the system unresponsive. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of system call arguments within the compatibility layer that bridges 32-bit applications running on 64-bit hardware.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the kernel's handling of system calls when transitioning between 64-bit and 32-bit execution contexts on AMD64 architecture. When a 32-bit application makes a system call while the kernel is running in 32-bit compatibility mode, the kernel must properly translate and validate the arguments passed from the 32-bit user space to the 64-bit kernel space. The flaw occurs during this translation process where certain crafted argument values can cause the kernel to enter an infinite loop or deadlock condition, resulting in a complete system hang that cannot be recovered without manual intervention or reboot.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level and presents significant operational impact for systems running affected kernel versions. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this weakness to cause system-wide denial of service, potentially affecting critical infrastructure, servers, or desktop systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no elevated privileges beyond normal user access, making it accessible to any local user who can execute code on the system. The kernel hang condition is persistent and typically requires system reboot to restore normal operation, leading to potential service disruption and data loss if automated systems are not properly configured to detect and recover from such conditions.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration, which classifies it as a stack-based buffer overflow or improper handling of system call arguments. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability falls under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, specifically targeting system resources through kernel-level exploitation. The attack chain begins with local user execution of crafted system calls that manipulate kernel state through argument validation failures. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability exists in widely deployed kernel versions and affects the fundamental system call interface that all applications depend upon, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking persistent system compromise. Organizations should implement immediate kernel updates to address this vulnerability, as the flaw cannot be effectively mitigated through configuration changes or application-level defenses due to its kernel-level nature and the requirement for system call argument validation within the core kernel execution path.