CVE-2008-4160 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the UFS module in Sun Solaris 8 through 10 and OpenSolaris allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and kernel panic) via unknown vectors related to the Solaris Access Control List (ACL) implementation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4160 represents a critical flaw within the Universal File System (UFS) module of Sun Solaris operating systems spanning versions 8 through 10 and OpenSolaris. This issue manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that can trigger a kernel panic, effectively rendering the affected system unavailable and causing a denial of service. The vulnerability specifically relates to the implementation of Solaris Access Control Lists, which are fundamental components for managing file permissions and access rights within the Solaris environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of ACL-related operations within the UFS kernel module. When certain conditions are met during ACL processing, the system attempts to dereference a NULL pointer, leading to an immediate system crash. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is classified as a common weakness in software security implementations. The flaw exists at the kernel level where the UFS module fails to properly validate input parameters or handle edge cases during ACL operations, creating a pathway for malicious local users to exploit this condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can compromise the entire system stability of affected Solaris installations. A local attacker who can execute code with sufficient privileges can trigger the kernel panic and subsequently cause the system to reboot or become unresponsive, creating a persistent denial of service condition. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Solaris systems serve as critical infrastructure components, as it can lead to significant downtime and potential data accessibility issues. The attack surface is limited to local users with access to the system, but this privilege escalation requirement does not mitigate the severity given that local access is often achievable through various attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4160 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through official Sun Microsystems updates or vendor-provided security patches. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit logs of ACL-related operations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves local privilege escalation and system compromise, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access controls and privilege management policies to limit local user access and reduce the potential attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the UFS implementation and other kernel modules. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure compatibility and prevent unintended side effects.