CVE-2010-4081 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The snd_hdspm_hwdep_ioctl function in sound/pci/rme9652/hdspm.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.36-rc6 does not initialize a certain structure, which allows local users to obtain potentially sensitive information from kernel stack memory via an SNDRV_HDSPM_IOCTL_GET_CONFIG_INFO ioctl call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4081 resides within the Linux kernel's sound subsystem, specifically in the snd_hdspm_hwdep_ioctl function located in sound/pci/rme9652/hdspm.c. This flaw affects kernel versions prior to 2.6.36-rc6 and represents a classic case of information disclosure through improper memory initialization. The vulnerability manifests when a local attacker executes a SNDRV_HDSPM_IOCTL_GET_CONFIG_INFO ioctl call against the hardware dependent device interface for RME9652 sound hardware. The root cause stems from the function's failure to properly initialize a critical data structure before utilizing it in the ioctl handling routine.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a local privilege escalation vector where an unprivileged user can manipulate the ioctl interface to trigger the uninitialized memory access pattern. When the snd_hdspm_hwdep_ioctl function processes the SNDRV_HDSPM_IOCTL_GET_CONFIG_INFO command, it fails to zero-initialize or properly set up a structure that subsequently gets populated with data from kernel stack memory. This uninitialized data contains remnants of previous kernel operations, potentially exposing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential data that may have previously resided in the memory locations. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-1280, which addresses the improper initialization of data structures, and represents a variant of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can compromise system security through memory leakage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to kernel memory contents that could aid in more sophisticated attacks. Local users who can execute the specific ioctl call gain access to potentially sensitive data that may include system configuration details, memory addresses, or other kernel internals that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or further exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects systems running affected kernel versions where RME9652 sound hardware is present, making it a concern for multimedia servers, audio production workstations, and any system utilizing this specific hardware platform. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 by enabling data from local system resources to be accessed, and T1059 through the use of kernel-level interfaces to execute malicious operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4081 primarily involve upgrading to kernel versions 2.6.36-rc6 or later where the uninitialized structure issue has been resolved. System administrators should implement immediate patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary kernel updates. Additionally, organizations may consider implementing kernel lockdown mechanisms or restricting local user access to hardware-dependent ioctl interfaces when possible. The fix implemented in the patched kernel versions ensures proper initialization of the affected data structure before it is used in the ioctl handling path, preventing the leakage of uninitialized kernel stack memory contents. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unauthorized ioctl calls against audio hardware interfaces, as these could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory initialization practices in kernel code and highlights the critical need for thorough code review processes to prevent information disclosure through uninitialized memory access patterns.