CVE-2005-3238 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Solaris 10 SCTP Socket Option Processing allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via unspecified attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3238 represents a critical security flaw within the Solaris 10 operating system's implementation of the Stream Control Transmission Protocol. This issue specifically affects the SCTP socket option processing mechanisms that are integral to the network stack's functionality. The vulnerability manifests as multiple unspecified flaws that can be exploited by local attackers to trigger system panics, effectively causing a denial of service condition that renders the affected system unstable and unresponsive. The SCTP protocol implementation in Solaris 10 contains inherent weaknesses in how it handles socket options, creating potential entry points for malicious activity that can be leveraged to compromise system availability. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they exist within the core networking infrastructure of the operating system, making them accessible to any user with local access to the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of socket options within the SCTP implementation, which falls under the category of improper input validation and memory management flaws. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-248, which covers exposure of unintended multiple access points. The flaw occurs when the system processes certain socket options without adequate bounds checking or validation, leading to memory corruption that results in kernel panic conditions. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses by crafting specific socket option parameters that cause the kernel to access invalid memory locations or manipulate internal data structures in unintended ways, ultimately leading to system crashes. The attack vectors are unspecified, indicating that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, which makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be possible to trigger the panic through various combinations of socket option parameters.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system availability and stability within Solaris 10 environments. Local users who can execute code on the system gain the ability to cause complete system panics, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can impact critical network services and applications. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as kernel panics can result in data loss, system instability, and potential compromise of other running services. Organizations running Solaris 10 systems may find their network infrastructure suddenly becomes unavailable, potentially affecting communication services, application performance, and overall system reliability. The local privilege requirement means that even if an attacker cannot directly access the system remotely, any user with local access can exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation might occur through other means.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3238 primarily involve applying official security patches and updates from Oracle that address the specific socket option processing flaws within the SCTP implementation. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all Solaris 10 systems to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks that might lead to exploitation. Monitoring for unusual system behavior, particularly around network socket operations and kernel panic events, can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and ensuring that all system components receive regular security updates. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability relates to T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing robust system hardening practices and regularly reviewing access controls to minimize the risk of local users gaining the ability to exploit such vulnerabilities. The broader implications suggest that systems relying on SCTP for network communications require careful monitoring and maintenance to prevent similar issues from compromising operational continuity.