CVE-2007-5904 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in CIFS VFS in Linux kernel 2.6.23 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via long SMB responses that trigger the overflows in the SendReceive function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5904 represents a critical security flaw in the Linux kernel's Server Message Block virtual file system implementation that affects versions 2.6.23 and earlier. This issue resides within the CIFS (Common Internet File System) subsystem which provides network file sharing capabilities using the SMB/CIFS protocol commonly employed in Windows environments. The vulnerability manifests as multiple buffer overflows that occur during the processing of SMB responses, specifically within the SendReceive function that handles communication between the Linux kernel and SMB servers.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and buffer size management within the kernel's CIFS VFS layer. When the kernel receives SMB responses from network servers, it attempts to process these responses through the SendReceive function without sufficient bounds checking on the data length. This allows malicious remote attackers to craft specially crafted SMB responses that exceed the allocated buffer sizes, resulting in memory corruption that can trigger undefined behavior. The buffer overflow conditions occur in multiple locations within the kernel code, making exploitation more likely and potentially more effective. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125 which covers out-of-bounds read conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5904 is severe and multifaceted, presenting both denial of service and potential remote code execution capabilities. The primary effect is system crash or kernel panic when the buffer overflows occur, leading to complete system downtime and service disruption for any systems running affected kernel versions. This denial of service scenario can be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where file servers and network storage systems are critical infrastructure components. The potential for remote code execution adds another layer of severity, as attackers could theoretically leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, execute malicious code, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, and T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation when combined with other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate kernel updates and system hardening measures. Organizations must upgrade to Linux kernel versions 2.6.24 or later where this vulnerability has been patched through proper bounds checking and buffer management implementations. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious SMB traffic. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for unusual SMB response patterns, implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to ensure all systems remain patched. The patch for this vulnerability specifically addresses the buffer overflow conditions by implementing proper input validation and ensuring that all SMB response data is properly bounded before processing, thereby preventing the memory corruption that leads to system crashes and potential code execution.