CVE-2010-2959 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in net/can/bcm.c in the Controller Area Network (CAN) implementation 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 attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (system crash) via crafted CAN traffic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2959 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Linux kernel's Controller Area Network (CAN) subsystem, specifically in the broadcast manager component located at net/can/bcm.c. This issue affects multiple kernel versions including 2.6.27.x 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, making it a widespread concern across various kernel release branches. The CAN protocol is widely used in automotive and industrial control systems for communication between embedded devices, which amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability.
The technical flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition that occurs when processing crafted CAN messages through the broadcast manager functionality. When an attacker sends specially constructed CAN frames, the kernel's bcm.c implementation fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to arithmetic overflow in calculations involving message sizes or buffer allocations. This overflow can result in memory corruption, where the kernel's memory management becomes compromised, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory locations or execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through network-accessible CAN interfaces, making it exploitable from remote locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it provides attackers with potential paths to achieve arbitrary code execution within the kernel space. This capability enables attackers to gain complete system control, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or denial of service conditions that could be catastrophic in automotive or industrial environments where CAN networks control critical systems. The vulnerability's presence in kernel versions that were widely deployed across automotive systems, industrial automation, and embedded devices creates a substantial risk profile for organizations relying on these platforms. The attack vector through crafted CAN traffic means that even isolated systems connected to CAN networks could be vulnerable if they process untrusted CAN frames.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2959 should prioritize immediate kernel updates to patched versions, as this represents a fundamental security flaw that cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes alone. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate CAN networks from general-purpose computing environments, and consider deploying CAN-specific firewalls or intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous traffic patterns. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and bounds checking for all CAN message processing should be considered as defensive measures, though these are secondary to the primary requirement of kernel patching. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and system compromise through kernel-level vulnerabilities, emphasizing the critical nature of this flaw in the context of automotive cybersecurity and industrial control system security.