CVE-2010-3432 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The sctp_packet_config function in net/sctp/output.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.35.6 performs extraneous initializations of packet data structures, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (panic) via a certain sequence of SCTP traffic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3432 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's Stream Control Transmission Protocol implementation that affects versions prior to 2.6.35.6. This issue resides within the sctp_packet_config function located in the net/sctp/output.c file, where the kernel fails to properly manage memory allocation and initialization of packet data structures during SCTP communication processing. The flaw manifests when specific sequences of SCTP traffic are processed, leading to improper handling of packet configuration operations that ultimately results in system instability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from redundant and unnecessary initializations of packet data structures within the SCTP output processing pipeline. When the sctp_packet_config function encounters certain traffic patterns, it performs extraneous initialization operations on packet buffers and associated metadata structures that should only be initialized once during the packet creation process. This overinitialization creates memory management inconsistencies that can trigger kernel panic conditions when the system attempts to process subsequent SCTP packets. The vulnerability specifically targets the SCTP protocol implementation within the Linux kernel networking stack, making it particularly dangerous in environments where SCTP is actively used for communication.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack against Linux systems running affected kernel versions by simply sending carefully crafted SCTP traffic sequences. The attack requires no authentication or special privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any network location where SCTP traffic is processed. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability causes the kernel to panic and restart, resulting in complete service disruption for the affected system. This type of attack directly impacts system availability and can be used to create persistent denial of service conditions that may be difficult to detect and mitigate.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which describes "Use of Uninitialized Variables" and falls under the broader category of memory management issues in kernel space operations. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks. The impact is particularly severe as it affects the fundamental networking capabilities of Linux systems, potentially disrupting critical infrastructure services that rely on SCTP for communication. Organizations using Linux systems in mission-critical environments should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a significant risk to system stability and availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3432 primarily involve upgrading to Linux kernel versions 2.6.35.6 or later, where the sctp_packet_config function has been corrected to eliminate the extraneous initializations. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious SCTP traffic. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual SCTP patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their SCTP usage policies and consider disabling SCTP support if it is not essential for their operations, thereby reducing the attack surface. The patch for this vulnerability specifically addresses the packet structure initialization logic to ensure proper memory management during SCTP packet processing, preventing the kernel panic conditions that resulted from the flawed initialization sequences.