CVE-2010-0453 in OpenSolaris
Summary
by MITRE
The ucode_ioctl function in intel/io/ucode_drv.c in Sun Solaris 10 and OpenSolaris snv_69 through snv_133, when running on x86 architectures, allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via a request with a 0 size value to the UCODE_GET_VERSION IOCTL, which triggers a NULL pointer dereference in the ucode_get_rev function, related to retrieval of the microcode revision.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0453 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Intel microcode driver implementation of Sun Solaris operating systems. This issue specifically affects systems running on x86 architectures and manifests in the ucode_ioctl function located in the intel/io/ucode_drv.c file. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the microcode retrieval mechanism, creating a scenario where legitimate system operations can be exploited to trigger system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user crafts a malicious IOCTL request with a zero-sized parameter to the UCODE_GET_VERSION interface. This seemingly benign operation triggers a cascade of function calls that ultimately leads to a NULL pointer dereference within the ucode_get_rev function. The flaw exists because the system fails to properly validate the size parameter before proceeding with microcode revision retrieval operations, allowing an attacker to bypass normal input sanitization checks that should prevent such malformed requests from being processed.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to system availability and stability within Solaris environments. The NULL pointer dereference results in a system panic, effectively causing the operating system to crash and requiring manual intervention for recovery. This denial of service condition can be particularly problematic in enterprise environments where system uptime is critical, as it can be exploited by malicious local users or unauthorized individuals with access to the system to disrupt normal operations without requiring elevated privileges beyond basic user access.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to system crashes and denial of service scenarios. Additionally, this flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network disruption through resource exhaustion and system instability. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple system crashes as it represents a fundamental flaw in the kernel's device driver interface validation mechanisms, potentially exposing other related functions to similar exploitation vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation at the IOCTL interface level to prevent zero-sized parameters from being processed by the microcode driver. System administrators should apply the relevant security patches provided by Sun Microsystems as soon as possible, as these updates typically include enhanced parameter validation and proper NULL pointer checks. The recommended approach includes monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity and implementing access controls that limit which users can interact with the microcode driver interface. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous patterns of IOCTL requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability can be leveraged to cause sustained system instability through repeated triggering of the panic condition.