CVE-2008-2358 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the dccp_feat_change function in net/dccp/feat.c in the Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP) subsystem in the Linux kernel 2.6.18, and 2.6.17 through 2.6.20, allows local users to gain privileges via an invalid feature length, which leads to a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2358 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Linux kernel's Datagram Congestion Control Protocol implementation. This issue exists in the dccp_feat_change function located in net/dccp/feat.c, affecting kernel versions 2.6.17 through 2.6.20, with 2.6.18 being specifically mentioned as vulnerable. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation when processing feature length parameters within the DCCP subsystem, creating a condition where maliciously crafted feature length values can trigger arithmetic overflow during integer calculations.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs when the kernel attempts to allocate memory based on an invalid feature length parameter. When a local user provides an malformed feature length value, the integer overflow causes the calculation of buffer size to produce an unexpectedly large value, leading to memory corruption in the heap allocation region. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The DCCP protocol implementation in the Linux kernel is designed to handle various network features and parameters, but the lack of proper bounds checking for feature length values creates an exploitable condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local users to escalate privileges from their current security context to root level access. This privilege escalation occurs because the heap-based buffer overflow can be manipulated to overwrite critical kernel memory structures, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's local nature means that an attacker must already have access to the system, typically through a regular user account or compromised service, but the resulting privilege escalation provides complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as privilege escalation through kernel exploits, specifically leveraging memory corruption techniques to gain administrative access. The affected kernel versions span a considerable timeframe, indicating that this vulnerability was present in widely deployed systems and could have affected numerous production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2358 primarily involve applying the appropriate kernel security patches released by the Linux kernel development team. System administrators should immediately upgrade to kernel versions that contain the fix for this vulnerability, which typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and integer overflow protection in the feature length validation logic. Additionally, implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space protection can provide additional defense-in-depth against exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should also be reinforced to limit local user access to systems where possible, as the vulnerability requires local execution to exploit effectively. Monitoring for suspicious kernel memory access patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts remains crucial for environments where immediate patching is not feasible.