CVE-2005-3055 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Linux kernel 2.6.8 to 2.6.14-rc2 allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel OOPS) via a userspace process that issues a USB Request Block (URB) to a USB device and terminates before the URB is finished, which leads to a stale pointer reference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3055 represents a critical kernel-level flaw affecting Linux kernel versions between 2.6.8 and 2.6.14-rc2. This issue manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered through a specific interaction between user-space processes and the USB subsystem. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of kernel memory management and device driver handling, creating a scenario where improper pointer cleanup leads to system instability. The flaw specifically targets the USB subsystem's handling of USB Request Blocks or URBs, which are fundamental data structures used to communicate with USB devices through the kernel's USB driver framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition and memory management error within the Linux kernel's USB subsystem. When a userspace process submits a USB Request Block to a USB device and then terminates before the URB processing completes, the kernel fails to properly clean up the associated pointer references. This creates a stale pointer condition where the kernel continues to reference memory locations that have been freed or repurposed by the terminated process. The kernel's USB subsystem maintains internal data structures to track active URBs and their associated contexts, but when a process exits prematurely without allowing proper cleanup, these structures become inconsistent. The resulting stale pointer reference causes the kernel to attempt operations on invalid memory addresses, leading to a kernel oops condition and ultimately a system crash or reboot.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromising system stability and availability. An attacker with local access can reliably trigger this condition by creating a simple userspace program that submits USB URBs and exits immediately, making this a particularly concerning vulnerability for systems that rely on USB connectivity. The vulnerability affects systems where USB devices are actively used and where userspace applications interact with USB hardware through the kernel's USB subsystem. This includes servers, desktop systems, and embedded devices that support USB peripherals, making it a widespread concern across various Linux deployments. The instability introduced by this flaw can be particularly problematic in mission-critical environments where system uptime and reliability are paramount, as even a single trigger can cause system-wide disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3055 should focus on both immediate kernel updates and defensive programming practices. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a Linux kernel version that contains the fix for this vulnerability, specifically kernel versions 2.6.14 and later where the USB subsystem properly handles stale pointer references. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual USB activity patterns and ensure that USB device drivers are properly maintained and updated. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and represents a classic example of improper resource management in kernel space. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under privilege escalation techniques as it allows local users to cause system instability, potentially leading to more severe compromise if combined with other attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce the potential impact of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.