CVE-2006-1167 in ProPack
Summary
by MITRE
SGI ProPack 3 SP6 kernel displays the frame buffer contents of the last session after a reboot, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1167 affects SGI ProPack 3 SP6 systems where the kernel fails to properly clear frame buffer contents during system reboot operations. This security flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs due to inadequate memory sanitization procedures within the kernel's shutdown and initialization sequences. The issue stems from the kernel's improper handling of graphics memory regions that persist in system memory even after a reboot process has completed, leaving sensitive display data accessible to unauthorized local users who gain access to the system post-reboot.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the kernel's graphics subsystem where frame buffer memory management does not adequately overwrite or clear display contents during system restart cycles. This flaw specifically impacts the kernel's handling of graphics hardware resources and memory allocation patterns during system state transitions. The vulnerability manifests when the system reboots and the graphics subsystem initializes without properly clearing previously stored frame buffer data, which may contain sensitive information from the previous user session including passwords, personal data, or confidential application displays. This behavior aligns with CWE-225, which describes weaknesses in the improper handling of memory contents during system transitions and process management scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates potential attack vectors for local privilege escalation and data recovery attacks. An attacker with local access to the system can potentially extract sensitive information from the frame buffer memory that was previously displayed to users, including authentication credentials, personal documents, or proprietary data that may have been visible on the screen during the previous session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where system administrators may not be aware that sensitive data could persist in memory even after a system reboot has occurred. This weakness can be exploited through direct memory access techniques or by leveraging the system's graphics subsystem to retrieve previously displayed content, representing a significant compromise of confidentiality and data integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper memory clearing procedures during system shutdown and reboot operations, particularly within the kernel's graphics subsystem initialization code. System administrators should ensure that kernel updates are applied promptly to address this vulnerability, as the fix typically involves modifying the kernel's frame buffer management code to properly clear memory regions during system transitions. The implementation of memory sanitization routines that overwrite graphics memory contents before system restarts can effectively prevent information leakage from previous sessions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts that may exploit this vulnerability, while also following ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access through memory inspection methods. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive memory management practices in kernel code and the necessity of proper system state transitions to prevent information leakage across user sessions.