CVE-2010-3880 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
net/ipv4/inet_diag.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.37-rc2 does not properly audit INET_DIAG bytecode, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel infinite loop) via crafted INET_DIAG_REQ_BYTECODE instructions in a netlink message that contains multiple attribute elements, as demonstrated by INET_DIAG_BC_JMP instructions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3880 resides within the Linux kernel's networking subsystem, specifically in the inet_diag.c component that handles diagnostic operations for internet protocols. This flaw represents a critical security issue affecting kernel versions prior to 2.6.37-rc2 where the kernel fails to properly validate and audit INET_DIAG bytecode instructions. The vulnerability manifests when processing netlink messages containing INET_DIAG_REQ_BYTECODE instructions, particularly when these messages include multiple attribute elements with INET_DIAG_BC_JMP instructions that create infinite loops during kernel processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted netlink messages that contain malicious INET_DIAG bytecode sequences. When the kernel processes these malformed messages, it fails to properly validate the bytecode structure, allowing attackers to construct sequences that result in infinite loops within the kernel's diagnostic processing code. The specific INET_DIAG_BC_JMP instructions create conditional jumps that can reference themselves or form circular execution paths, causing the kernel to enter an infinite loop while attempting to process the diagnostic requests. This infinite loop consumes excessive CPU resources and effectively renders the system unavailable, constituting a denial of service condition that can be triggered by any local user with access to send netlink messages to the kernel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system unavailability as it affects the fundamental stability of the Linux kernel's networking capabilities. Local users can exploit this weakness without requiring elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where untrusted users might have access to network diagnostic interfaces. The infinite loop condition can persist until system resources are exhausted or the kernel is manually restarted, potentially leading to extended service disruption. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in kernel space code. The attack pattern follows techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1499.004 for network denial of service, where adversaries leverage system-level vulnerabilities to disrupt network operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3880 primarily involve upgrading to kernel versions 2.6.37-rc2 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved bytecode validation and auditing mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual patterns of netlink message processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include restricting access to diagnostic interfaces where possible and implementing kernel hardening techniques such as disabling unnecessary network diagnostic features. The fix implemented in affected kernel versions involves strengthening the validation of INET_DIAG bytecode instructions, ensuring proper bounds checking on jump operations, and implementing safeguards against circular reference conditions in the diagnostic processing code. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can monitor for anomalous kernel behavior patterns associated with this specific vulnerability class.