CVE-2009-4774 in OpenSolaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Sun Solaris 10 and OpenSolaris snv_49 through snv_117, when 64bit mode is used on the Intel x86 platform and a Linux (lx) branded zone is configured, allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-6225.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4774 represents a critical flaw in the Solaris operating system that specifically affects systems running in 64-bit mode on Intel x86 platforms. This issue manifests within the context of Linux (lx) branded zones, which are containerized environments that allow Linux applications to run on Solaris systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the kernel space of the operating system, where local privilege escalation or denial of service conditions can have severe operational impacts. The affected versions span from Sun Solaris 10 through various OpenSolaris snapshots up to snv_117, indicating a prolonged period of exposure that affected multiple system configurations and deployment scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a kernel-level panic condition that occurs when specific combinations of 64-bit execution mode and lx branded zone configurations are present. While the exact triggering vectors remain unspecified in the CVE description, the nature of the issue suggests that the problem lies within the kernel's handling of memory management, system calls, or process isolation mechanisms when these particular system configurations are active. The fact that this vulnerability differs from CVE-2007-6225 indicates that it represents a distinct kernel flaw rather than a variant of previously discovered issues, suggesting a separate code path or subsystem within the operating system kernel that contains the exploitable condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations running Solaris systems with lx branded zones in production environments. A successful exploitation could result in system panics that require manual intervention to restore normal operations, leading to service disruption and potential data loss. The local nature of the attack vector means that an attacker must already have access to the system, but this access level is still problematic as it can be achieved through various means including compromised accounts, insider threats, or other initial compromise vectors. The vulnerability affects the stability and reliability of the operating system, potentially causing cascading failures in applications or services that depend on the system's continued operation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by Oracle, which would typically address the kernel-level flaw through code modifications that prevent the specific conditions leading to the panic state. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect early signs of system instability that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory safety issues in kernel code, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and system stability disruption. Regular system updates and patch management procedures should be reinforced to prevent similar issues, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security configurations in complex operating system environments where multiple execution modes and containerized applications coexist.