CVE-2010-0006 in E1000
Summary
by MITRE
The ipv6_hop_jumbo function in net/ipv6/exthdrs.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.32.4, when network namespaces are enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via an invalid IPv6 jumbogram, a related issue to CVE-2007-4567.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0006 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Linux kernel's IPv6 implementation that specifically targets the handling of jumbograms in network namespaces. This issue affects Linux kernel versions prior to 2.6.32.4 and demonstrates how improper validation of IPv6 extension headers can lead to system instability. The vulnerability occurs in the ipv6_hop_jumbo function located in the net/ipv6/exthdrs.c source file, which is responsible for processing hop-by-hop options in IPv6 packets. When network namespaces are enabled, the kernel's handling of malformed IPv6 jumbograms triggers a NULL pointer dereference that ultimately results in system crash or complete denial of service for the affected network services.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the IPv6 extension header processing logic. Specifically, when the kernel encounters an invalid IPv6 jumbogram - a packet that attempts to use the jumbo payload option to carry packets larger than the standard IPv6 payload size - the ipv6_hop_jumbo function fails to properly validate the packet structure before attempting to access memory locations. This flaw falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, where the kernel code assumes that certain pointers will contain valid data but fails to verify this assumption before dereferencing them. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in network namespace environments because these namespaces provide isolated network stack instances that can be individually compromised, potentially allowing attackers to target specific application containers or virtualized network environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0006 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader system stability and availability concerns. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially malformed IPv6 packets that contain invalid jumbogram headers, causing the kernel to crash when processing these packets. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, where adversaries target network infrastructure to prevent legitimate use of services. In practical deployment scenarios, this vulnerability can be exploited against systems running kernel versions before 2.6.32.4, particularly affecting network services that handle IPv6 traffic or operate in environments with enabled network namespaces. The impact is significant because IPv6 adoption continues to grow, and many enterprise networks now support dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 configurations, increasing the attack surface for this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0006 primarily focus on kernel version updates and network configuration hardening. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to Linux kernel version 2.6.32.4 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched through proper input validation and NULL pointer checks in the ipv6_hop_jumbo function. Network administrators should also implement packet filtering rules to drop malformed IPv6 packets at network boundaries, particularly those containing invalid jumbogram headers. Additional protective measures include disabling IPv6 functionality on systems where it is not required, implementing network namespace isolation policies, and monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious IPv6 packet structures that match the vulnerability characteristics. The patch for this vulnerability specifically addresses the missing validation checks in the kernel's IPv6 extension header processing, ensuring that all pointers are properly validated before memory access operations occur, thereby preventing the NULL pointer dereference condition that led to system crashes.