CVE-2008-2365 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the ptrace and utrace support in the Linux kernel 2.6.9 through 2.6.25, as used in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 4, allows local users to cause a denial of service (oops) via a long series of PTRACE_ATTACH ptrace calls to another user s process that trigger a conflict between utrace_detach and report_quiescent, related to "late ptrace_may_attach() check" and "race around &dead_engine_ops setting," a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-0771 and CVE-2008-1514. NOTE: this issue might only affect kernel versions before 2.6.16.x.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2365 represents a critical race condition within the Linux kernel's ptrace and utrace subsystems that affects kernel versions 2.6.9 through 2.6.25. This flaw specifically impacts Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 systems and stems from improper synchronization mechanisms during process tracing operations. The vulnerability manifests when a local user executes a prolonged series of PTRACE_ATTACH ptrace calls against processes owned by different users, creating a scenario where concurrent operations can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the interaction between utrace_detach and report_quiescent functions within the kernel's tracing framework. The race condition occurs during the "late ptrace_may_attach() check" phase where the kernel performs permission validation for ptrace operations. Additionally, the vulnerability involves a "race around &dead_engine_ops setting" which indicates improper handling of operation engine states during process attachment and detachment sequences. This particular race condition is distinct from other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2007-0771 and CVE-2008-1514, making it a unique and specific threat within the kernel's tracing architecture. The flaw is particularly sensitive to kernel versions prior to 2.6.16.x, suggesting that earlier kernel versions contained more pronounced synchronization issues in their tracing implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, potentially leading to system crashes or oops (kernel panic) situations that can compromise system stability and availability. Local users can exploit this weakness to systematically destabilize system processes by repeatedly attaching to target processes, causing the kernel to enter an inconsistent state where the utrace subsystem cannot properly manage process tracing operations. The vulnerability's design allows for cascading failures that can affect multiple processes simultaneously, creating widespread disruption within the system's process management framework. This type of vulnerability represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where process tracing and debugging capabilities are commonly utilized, as it can be leveraged to create persistent system instability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2365 primarily involve upgrading to kernel versions that have addressed the race condition through improved synchronization mechanisms and proper handling of the ptrace and utrace subsystem interactions. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems to kernel versions 2.6.16 and later where the underlying race conditions have been resolved. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and process isolation mechanisms can help reduce the attack surface by limiting the ability of local users to perform extensive ptrace operations against other users' processes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes race conditions in concurrent programming, and represents a specific instance of improper locking mechanisms that can lead to system instability. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual ptrace activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts of this vulnerability.