CVE-2008-5111 in OpenSolaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the socket function in Sun Solaris 10 and OpenSolaris snv_57 through snv_91, when InfiniBand hardware is not installed, allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via unknown vectors, related to the socksdpv_close function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5111 represents a critical denial of service weakness within the Solaris operating system kernel, specifically affecting socket functionality when InfiniBand hardware is absent from the system. This issue manifests in Sun Solaris 10 and various OpenSolaris snapshots ranging from snv_57 through snv_91, creating a significant operational risk for systems relying on these platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper handling within the socksdpv_close function, which is part of the socket subsystem that manages network communication channels. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with kernel-level memory corruption or resource management issues that can lead to system instability and complete system crashes. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of kernel panic conditions that can be triggered through local user access, making it particularly concerning for environments where untrusted local users might exist.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the improper cleanup or closure of socket resources when InfiniBand hardware is not present in the system configuration. When the socksdpv_close function attempts to handle socket termination in these specific hardware configurations, it encounters conditions that cause the kernel to panic and crash. The underlying mechanism likely involves null pointer dereferences, buffer overflows, or improper memory deallocation during the socket closure process. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level where system stability is paramount, and any flaw in this area can result in complete system failure. The fact that it requires the absence of InfiniBand hardware suggests the vulnerability is related to conditional code paths that are only executed when specific hardware configurations are not detected, making it particularly difficult to identify and test for in standard environments. Such vulnerabilities are typically classified under CWE-119 as memory corruption issues that can lead to system crashes and are categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499 for system shutdown/reboot attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5111 extends beyond simple denial of service, as system panics can result in complete service interruption, data loss, and potential compromise of system integrity. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this vulnerability to cause system-wide crashes, which can be particularly devastating in production environments where system uptime is critical. The vulnerability's existence in multiple Solaris versions indicates a persistent flaw in the kernel socket implementation that affects a broad range of systems. Organizations running these affected versions face significant risk of service disruption, especially in environments where InfiniBand hardware is not present but the system still attempts to initialize or clean up socket resources. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices in kernel space, where proper error handling and resource management are essential for system stability and security. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a vector for more sophisticated attacks, as system panics may leave systems in vulnerable states or provide opportunities for privilege escalation. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability can be exploited by any local user, regardless of their administrative privileges, making it a significant concern for multi-user systems and server environments.