CVE-2005-3180 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The Orinoco driver (orinoco.c) in Linux kernel 2.6.13 and earlier does not properly clear memory from a previously used packet whose length is increased, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3180 resides within the Orinoco wireless network driver implementation in Linux kernel versions 2.6.13 and earlier. This flaw specifically affects the orinoco.c driver which handles wireless networking operations for certain Orinoco-based wireless devices. The issue manifests when the driver processes packets that undergo length modification during transmission, creating a scenario where sensitive data from previous packet operations remains accessible in memory. This represents a classic case of information exposure through improper memory management practices that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential information.
The technical implementation flaw occurs in the packet handling mechanism where the driver fails to properly clear memory segments that were previously occupied by packet data. When a packet's length is increased during processing, the driver does not adequately overwrite or zero out the memory regions that were previously used for storing data from prior packets. This memory clearance failure creates a situation where remnants of sensitive information from previous network operations persist in memory locations that may be subsequently accessed or read by the attacker. The vulnerability specifically relates to the driver's inability to ensure complete memory sanitization when packet sizes change, leaving potential data leakage pathways that could expose network credentials, session information, or other confidential data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent threat vector that remote attackers can exploit to gather sensitive data from systems running vulnerable kernel versions. An attacker positioned within network range of a compromised system could potentially capture wireless traffic and analyze memory dumps to extract previously processed packet data. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security principles of memory isolation and data sanitization, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless networks handle sensitive communications. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects core kernel functionality, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to information that might otherwise be protected by normal network security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3180 primarily focus on immediate kernel version updates to address the memory handling flaw in the Orinoco driver. System administrators should prioritize upgrading to Linux kernel versions 2.6.14 or later where this vulnerability has been resolved through proper memory clearing implementations. Additionally, network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while also monitoring wireless network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper output neutralization for logs, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers Exfiltration Over C2 Channel, as the memory leakage could provide attackers with information for further exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous wireless traffic patterns and memory access behaviors that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.