CVE-2008-4113 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The sctp_getsockopt_hmac_ident function in net/sctp/socket.c in the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (sctp) implementation in the Linux kernel before 2.6.26.4, when the SCTP-AUTH extension is enabled, relies on an untrusted length value to limit copying of data from kernel memory, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a crafted SCTP_HMAC_IDENT IOCTL request involving the sctp_getsockopt function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4113 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Linux kernel's Stream Control Transmission Protocol implementation. This issue specifically affects systems running Linux kernel versions prior to 2.6.26.4 where the SCTP-AUTH extension is enabled. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied length parameters during the processing of SCTP_HMAC_IDENT IOCTL requests, creating a potential avenue for unauthorized data access from kernel memory spaces.
The technical flaw manifests in the sctp_getsockopt_hmac_ident function located within the net/sctp/socket.c file of the kernel source code. When the SCTP-AUTH extension is active, this function processes incoming IOCTL requests without adequately validating the length parameter provided by the user space application. This validation gap allows a local attacker to craft malicious SCTP_HMAC_IDENT requests with deliberately manipulated length values that exceed the intended buffer boundaries. The function then proceeds to copy data from kernel memory regions using these untrusted length values, resulting in the exposure of sensitive kernel data to the requesting process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system security as it enables local privilege escalation through information disclosure. An attacker with local access to a system can exploit this flaw to extract kernel memory contents, potentially revealing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, session data, or other confidential system information. The impact extends beyond simple data leakage since the exposed information could be used to facilitate further attacks or compromise the integrity of the entire system. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely on SCTP-AUTH for secure communication, making it a critical concern for network infrastructure and security-sensitive environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to information disclosure. According to ATT&CK framework, this issue maps to T1005: "Data from Local System" and T1552: "Unsecured Credentials" as it enables unauthorized access to system memory containing potentially sensitive data. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Linux kernel version 2.6.26.4 or later, which includes the necessary fixes to properly validate length parameters in the sctp_getsockopt_hmac_ident function. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling SCTP-AUTH extension if it is not strictly required for operational purposes, thereby eliminating the attack surface entirely. Regular security audits and kernel updates should be maintained to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in future implementations.