CVE-2005-2492 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The raw_sendmsg function in the Linux kernel 2.6 before 2.6.13.1 allows local users to cause a denial of service (change hardware state) or read from arbitrary memory via crafted input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2492 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's network subsystem that affects versions prior to 2.6.13.1. This issue resides within the raw_sendmsg function which handles raw socket operations, creating a pathway for local attackers to manipulate kernel memory structures and potentially alter hardware states. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the kernel's network stack implementation, specifically when processing crafted data through raw sockets that bypass normal protocol layers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through careful manipulation of input parameters passed to the raw_sendmsg function, allowing attackers to trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. When the kernel processes malformed data through raw sockets, it fails to properly validate the length and content of the input, enabling attackers to overwrite kernel memory locations with arbitrary data. This flaw operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation can lead to system instability, denial of service conditions, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the memory locations overwritten. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only local user privileges, making it accessible to any user with access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2492 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can enable attackers to read arbitrary memory locations within the kernel space. This capability allows for information disclosure attacks where sensitive kernel data, including cryptographic keys, credentials, or system configuration details, could be extracted. The potential for hardware state changes represents a more severe concern, as attackers might be able to manipulate low-level system components through kernel memory corruption, potentially affecting system integrity and stability. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions 2.6.0 through 2.6.13.0, making it particularly relevant for older enterprise and embedded systems that may not have received timely security updates.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and relates to the broader category of kernel memory corruption issues. From an attack perspective, the flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1063 for credential dumping and T1499 for endpoint denial of service, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to either extract sensitive information or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper memory management in kernel code, as even seemingly benign functions like raw socket handling can become attack vectors when proper bounds checking is omitted. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing monitoring for unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where local privilege escalation risks are significant.