CVE-2009-0838 in OpenSolaris
Summary
by MITRE
The crypto pseudo device driver in Sun Solaris 10, and OpenSolaris snv_88 through snv_102, does not properly free memory, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via unspecified vectors, related to the vmem_hash_delete function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0838 resides within the cryptographic pseudo device driver of Sun Solaris 10 and various OpenSolaris releases ranging from snv_88 through snv_102. This flaw represents a critical memory management issue that affects the operating system's ability to properly handle virtual memory operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the vmem_hash_delete function, which is responsible for removing entries from hash tables used in virtual memory management. The improper memory freeing mechanism creates a condition where allocated memory segments are not correctly released back to the system, leading to resource exhaustion and system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that trigger the malfunctioning memory management routine. When the vmem_hash_delete function fails to properly free memory, it creates a memory leak scenario where system resources gradually become consumed. This memory exhaustion ultimately leads to system panic conditions where the operating system becomes unresponsive and requires manual intervention to restore functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with a memory corruption issue classified under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation operations. The flaw essentially allows local attackers to exhaust system resources through repeated calls to the affected memory management function, creating a denial of service condition that can be triggered without requiring elevated privileges.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running affected Solaris versions as it enables local users to induce system crashes and service interruptions. The impact extends beyond simple availability issues since system panics can result in data loss, service disruption, and potential compromise of system integrity. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability repeatedly to maintain sustained denial of service conditions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where system stability is paramount. The vulnerability affects the core operating system functionality, as the cryptographic pseudo device driver is integral to system security operations and memory management processes. This creates a cascading effect where system administrators may face challenges in maintaining service availability while addressing the underlying memory management issues.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Oracle and Sun Microsystems released updates specifically addressing the memory management flaw in the crypto pseudo device driver. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit local user privileges where possible, as the vulnerability requires local system access for exploitation. The remediation process should include thorough system testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing cryptographic applications. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for patterns consistent with memory exhaustion attacks, particularly those targeting virtual memory management functions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, though in this case the attack vector is local and targets system memory management rather than network resources.