CVE-2009-0480 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
The IP implementation in Sun Solaris 8 through 10, and OpenSolaris before snv_82, uses an improper arena when allocating minor numbers for sockets, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (32-bit application failure and login outage) by opening a large number of sockets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0480 represents a critical flaw in the network socket allocation mechanism within Sun Solaris operating systems spanning versions 8 through 10, as well as OpenSolaris prior to snv_82. This issue stems from an improper arena selection during the allocation of minor numbers for socket resources, creating a significant weakness that can be exploited by local attackers to disrupt system operations. The flaw specifically affects the kernel's handling of socket resources where the system fails to properly manage memory allocation arenas for socket minor numbers, leading to resource exhaustion conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the kernel level within the IP networking stack where socket minor numbers are assigned during socket creation operations. When applications open a large number of sockets simultaneously, the improper arena selection causes the system to allocate socket resources in a manner that leads to memory fragmentation and eventual resource depletion. This particular implementation flaw falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which encompasses improper handling of buffer sizes and resource allocation issues. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core networking infrastructure of the operating system, making it a prime target for exploitation that can cause cascading failures throughout the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests as a denial of service condition that can severely disrupt system availability and user access. Local attackers can exploit this weakness by creating an excessive number of socket connections, which ultimately leads to 32-bit application failures and login outages. The system's ability to handle legitimate network connections becomes compromised as the socket allocation mechanism becomes overwhelmed, causing the system to become unresponsive to normal user authentication and application requests. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through resource exhaustion attacks, and represents a classic example of how improper resource management can create system-wide availability issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0480 should focus on both immediate system hardening and long-term architectural improvements. System administrators should implement socket connection limits and resource monitoring to prevent unauthorized exploitation of the vulnerability. The recommended approach includes applying the appropriate security patches provided by Sun Microsystems, which address the improper arena selection issue in the socket allocation mechanism. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions can help detect unusual socket creation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and resource allocation strategies within operating system kernels, emphasizing the need for robust arena management and memory fragmentation prevention mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing access controls and limiting the number of concurrent socket connections available to local users to minimize the potential impact of such exploitation scenarios.