CVE-2010-3066 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The io_submit_one function in fs/aio.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.23 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via a crafted io_submit system call with an IOCB_FLAG_RESFD flag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3066 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within the Linux kernel's asynchronous I/O subsystem. This issue affects kernel versions prior to 2.6.23 and specifically targets the io_submit_one function located in fs/aio.c. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation when processing asynchronous I/O operations, creating a scenario where a local malicious user can exploit this weakness to crash the system or cause a denial of service condition.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted io_submit system call that includes the IOCB_FLAG_RESFD flag. This particular flag is used to specify a file descriptor for asynchronous I/O completion notification, but when improperly handled within the io_submit_one function, it leads to a NULL pointer dereference. The flaw demonstrates poor error handling and memory management practices within the kernel's asynchronous I/O implementation, where the system fails to properly validate that the resource file descriptor pointer is valid before attempting to dereference it. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions, representing a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited to disrupt system operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system stability and availability. Local users who can execute the io_submit system call can trigger the NULL pointer dereference, causing the kernel to crash and potentially resulting in a system reboot or complete denial of service. The impact extends beyond simple disruption as it can affect system reliability in environments where asynchronous I/O operations are frequently used, such as database servers, web servers, and high-performance computing systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as it only necessitates local access to the system rather than elevated privileges or network access. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, though in this case the attack vector is local system call manipulation rather than network-based.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves upgrading to Linux kernel version 2.6.23 or later, where the issue has been properly addressed through improved input validation and error handling in the io_submit_one function. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as restricting access to the io_submit system call through capability-based restrictions or using security modules like SELinux to limit the scope of potential exploitation. The fix implemented in the patched kernel version demonstrates proper defensive programming practices by ensuring that all pointers are validated before dereferencing, which is a fundamental principle of secure coding. Organizations should prioritize this patch deployment as it addresses a critical kernel-level vulnerability that could be exploited to compromise system availability and stability.