CVE-2010-0291 in E1000
Summary
by MITRE
The Linux kernel before 2.6.32.4 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (panic) by calling the (1) mmap or (2) mremap function, aka the "do_mremap() mess" or "mremap/mmap mess."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0291 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's memory management subsystem that affects versions prior to 2.6.32.4. This issue stems from improper handling of memory mapping operations within the kernel's virtual memory management framework, specifically involving the do_mremap() function that manages memory region resizing operations. The vulnerability manifests when local users execute malicious code through carefully crafted calls to mmap() and mremap() system calls, creating a scenario where the kernel's memory management code path becomes unstable and potentially exploitable.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the kernel's failure to properly validate memory mapping parameters during the do_mremap() function execution. When a user process invokes mremap() or mmap() with specific parameter combinations, the kernel's memory management code fails to perform adequate bounds checking and validation of memory region boundaries. This flaw creates a condition where memory management structures can become corrupted, leading to kernel panic or privilege escalation. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation can result in either complete system compromise through privilege escalation or system instability through denial of service. The issue is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, and more specifically as a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through improper memory management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0291 is significant for systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions, as local attackers with minimal privileges can leverage this flaw to either escalate their privileges to root access or cause system crashes that result in denial of service. In practical attack scenarios, an adversary could craft malicious programs that call mmap() or mremap() with carefully constructed arguments to trigger the kernel bug, potentially leading to complete system compromise or service disruption. The vulnerability affects all Linux systems using kernel versions before 2.6.32.4, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts a wide range of systems including servers, desktops, and embedded devices running these older kernel versions. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, specifically targeting the kernel's memory management capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0291 primarily focus on immediate kernel version upgrades to 2.6.32.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory management validation issues. System administrators should prioritize patching vulnerable systems and implement proper access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. Additional mitigations include monitoring for suspicious memory mapping operations and implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel security auditing and the need for comprehensive testing of memory management subsystems, particularly when dealing with user-space interactions that can potentially corrupt kernel data structures. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify unusual memory mapping patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.