CVE-2009-3000 in OpenSolaris
Summary
by MITRE
The sockfs module in the kernel in Sun Solaris 10 and OpenSolaris snv_41 through snv_122, when Network Cache Accelerator (NCA) logging is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (panic) via unspecified web-server traffic that triggers a NULL pointer dereference in the nl7c_http_log function, related to "improper http response handling."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3000 represents a critical kernel-level flaw within the Solaris operating system family that specifically affects the sockfs module implementation. This issue manifests in Sun Solaris 10 and various OpenSolaris snapshots ranging from snv_41 through snv_122, creating a significant security concern for systems utilizing Network Cache Accelerator functionality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it accessible to any attacker capable of sending web-server traffic to the affected system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies within the nl7c_http_log function of the sockfs module, where a NULL pointer dereference occurs when processing HTTP responses. This flaw is directly related to improper handling of HTTP response data structures within the Network Cache Accelerator logging mechanism. When specific web-server traffic patterns are processed, the system attempts to access a null pointer reference in the logging function, causing the kernel to crash and resulting in a system panic. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-476, which identifies NULL pointer dereference as a common weakness in software implementations. The improper HTTP response handling creates a condition where the system fails to properly validate or initialize pointer variables before dereferencing them, leading to the kernel-level crash.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can result in complete system unavailability and potential data loss. When a system panic occurs due to this flaw, all network services become unavailable until the system is manually rebooted, creating significant downtime for organizations relying on these systems. The vulnerability affects the core kernel functionality, meaning that even legitimate network traffic can trigger the exploit, making it particularly challenging to defend against. Organizations utilizing Network Cache Accelerator functionality in their Solaris environments face the highest risk, as the vulnerability specifically targets the logging mechanisms that are enabled when NCA is active. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks that target system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems, as no reliable workarounds exist for the underlying kernel flaw. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions of Solaris 10 and OpenSolaris releases that address this specific NULL pointer dereference in the sockfs module. The recommended approach involves implementing proper kernel updates from Sun Microsystems, which contain fixes specifically targeting the nl7c_http_log function. Organizations should also consider disabling Network Cache Accelerator logging functionality if immediate patching is not feasible, though this reduces the effectiveness of the caching mechanism. Monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts should be implemented alongside the patching process, as the vulnerability can be triggered by seemingly normal web-server traffic patterns. Additionally, system administrators should maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to minimize downtime during the patching process, as the kernel panic can occur at any time during normal operation.