CVE-2010-0741 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The virtio_net_bad_features function in hw/virtio-net.c in the virtio-net driver in the Linux kernel before 2.6.26, when used on a guest OS in conjunction with qemu-kvm 0.11.0 or KVM 83, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (guest OS crash, and an associated qemu-kvm process exit) by sending a large amount of network traffic to a TCP port on the guest OS, related to a virtio-net whitelist that includes an improper implementation of TCP Segment Offloading (TSO).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0741 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Linux kernel's virtio-net driver implementation. This issue specifically affects systems utilizing virtualization technologies where the guest operating system communicates with the host through virtio networking interfaces. The vulnerability manifests when the virtio_net_bad_features function in the hw/virtio-net.c file processes network traffic under specific conditions involving qemu-kvm version 0.11.0 and KVM version 83. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit a weakness in the TCP Segment Offloading (TSO) implementation that is part of the virtio-net whitelist mechanism, creating a scenario where legitimate network traffic can trigger system instability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of TCP Segment Offloading within the virtio-net driver's feature validation logic. When the guest operating system receives substantial network traffic directed toward TCP ports, the driver's implementation fails to properly validate or handle certain network packet characteristics that are permitted by the whitelist. This weakness in the TSO implementation creates a condition where malformed or excessive network traffic can cause the guest OS to crash, leading to complete system termination and forcing the associated qemu-kvm process to exit. The vulnerability specifically targets the interaction between the virtualized network stack and the underlying hypervisor communication mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in virtualized environments where multiple guests share host resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system-wide instability in virtualized infrastructures. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause cascading failures within virtualized environments where multiple guest operating systems are running concurrently, as the crashing guest OS can affect the hypervisor's ability to manage other virtual machines. The associated qemu-kvm process termination creates additional complications for system administrators who must then restart virtual machines and potentially reconfigure network settings. This vulnerability particularly affects cloud computing environments and data centers that rely heavily on virtualization technologies, where maintaining system availability and preventing resource exhaustion are critical operational requirements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate kernel updates to versions 2.6.26 or later where the flaw has been addressed through proper implementation of the TSO validation mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in the patched kernel versions addresses the core issue by properly validating network packet characteristics before allowing them to be processed through the virtio-net driver, preventing the malicious traffic from triggering the crash condition. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing rate limiting and traffic filtering mechanisms at the network boundary to reduce the potential impact of such attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 which describes improper restriction of operations within a recognized security boundary, and represents a specific instance of how virtualization security controls can be bypassed through flawed implementation of network stack features. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation or denial of service technique that leverages hypervisor-level vulnerabilities to compromise system stability.