CVE-2008-0938 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the dynamic tracing framework (DTrace) in Sun Solaris 10 allows local users with PRIV_DTRACE_USER or PRIV_DTRACE_PROC privileges to obtain sensitive kernel information via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-4126.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0938 resides within the dynamic tracing framework known as DTrace implementation in Sun Solaris 10 operating system. This represents a significant security weakness that affects the kernel-level tracing capabilities designed for system monitoring and debugging purposes. The flaw specifically targets users who possess either PRIV_DTRACE_USER or PRIV_DTRACE_PROC privileges, which are typically granted to authorized system administrators and developers who require access to detailed system performance data. These privileges enable users to instrument and trace system calls, kernel functions, and application behavior through the DTrace framework, making them legitimate targets for exploitation by malicious actors who seek to escalate their privileges or extract confidential system information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and information disclosure mechanisms within the DTrace subsystem. While DTrace is designed to provide powerful diagnostic capabilities, the implementation contains flaws that allow users with specific privilege sets to bypass normal security boundaries and access kernel memory spaces or sensitive system information that should remain protected. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack paths exist within the DTrace framework that could be exploited to obtain kernel information, potentially including memory corruption issues, improper privilege validation, or inadequate sandboxing mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, where unauthorized access to kernel data structures, memory contents, or system internals can be achieved through legitimate tracing interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0938 is substantial for Solaris 10 environments, particularly in enterprise settings where privileged users may have legitimate access to DTrace functionality but could be exploited by insider threats or compromised accounts. The ability to obtain sensitive kernel information provides attackers with valuable insights into system architecture, memory layouts, and potential security weaknesses that could be leveraged for further exploitation. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can enable privilege escalation attacks where local users can gain access to information that could be used to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level and can potentially expose information that would normally be protected from user-space access, creating a significant attack surface that could lead to complete system compromise.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking within kernel interfaces. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging legitimate system tools for unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations running Solaris 10 systems should implement immediate mitigations including restricting DTrace privileges to only essential personnel, monitoring DTrace usage for anomalous patterns, and applying the appropriate security patches from Oracle. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management and the need for comprehensive security reviews of kernel-level interfaces, particularly those designed for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring controls around DTrace usage and maintain strict access controls over privileged accounts to prevent unauthorized exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.