CVE-2010-2803 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The drm_ioctl function in drivers/gpu/drm/drm_drv.c in the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.27.53, 2.6.32.x before 2.6.32.21, 2.6.34.x before 2.6.34.6, and 2.6.35.x before 2.6.35.4 allows local users to obtain potentially sensitive information from kernel memory by requesting a large memory-allocation amount.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2803 resides within the Direct Rendering Manager subsystem of the Linux kernel, specifically in the drm_ioctl function located in drivers/gpu/drm/drm_drv.c. This issue represents a classic information disclosure flaw that affects multiple kernel versions including 2.6.27.52 and earlier, 2.6.32.20 and earlier, 2.6.34.5 and earlier, and 2.6.35.3 and earlier. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the DRM subsystem's ioctl handling mechanism, which processes device-specific commands for graphics hardware management. The flaw manifests when local users exploit the ioctl interface to request excessively large memory allocation requests that bypass proper bounds checking.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the drm_ioctl function failing to properly validate memory allocation requests submitted through the DRM interface. When a malicious user submits an ioctl command requesting a memory allocation that exceeds normal operational parameters, the kernel's memory management subsystem does not adequately sanitize the request size before proceeding with allocation operations. This lack of proper validation allows the system to potentially expose kernel memory contents to user-space applications through the ioctl response mechanism. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level and can be exploited by any local user with access to the DRM interface, making it an attractive target for privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security implications for systems utilizing the Linux graphics subsystem, particularly those running affected kernel versions. Local attackers can leverage this flaw to extract potentially sensitive kernel memory information including cryptographic keys, passwords, or other confidential data stored in kernel memory regions. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the leaked memory contents could contain credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive material that could be exploited in subsequent attacks. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200: Information Exposure, while ATT&CK framework categorizes it under T1005: Data from Local System, with potential progression to T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in kernel memory management and input validation practices that could be exploited in combination with other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2803 primarily focus on kernel version updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched kernel versions including 2.6.27.53, 2.6.32.21, 2.6.34.6, and 2.6.35.4 to address the vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls to limit local user privileges on graphics devices and consider disabling unnecessary DRM interfaces when not required for system operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in kernel subsystems, particularly those handling hardware interfaces. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual ioctl requests and memory allocation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The flaw underscores the necessity of comprehensive kernel security testing and the implementation of robust memory management practices to prevent unauthorized information disclosure through kernel interfaces.