CVE-2010-4169 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in mm/mprotect.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.37-rc2 allows local users to cause a denial of service via vectors involving an mprotect system call.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4169 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Linux kernel's memory management subsystem, specifically in the mm/mprotect.c file. This flaw occurs during the processing of mprotect system calls which are used to change the access permissions of memory pages. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to 2.6.37-rc2, making it a significant concern for systems running older kernel versions. The use-after-free condition arises when memory that has been freed is still being referenced by subsequent operations, creating a scenario where the kernel's memory management can become corrupted or unstable.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a local attacker who can manipulate the mprotect system call to trigger the use-after-free condition. When the kernel processes multiple mprotect calls in rapid succession or in specific combinations, it can lead to a situation where a memory page is freed while still being referenced by other kernel structures. This creates a race condition where the kernel attempts to access memory that has already been deallocated, potentially causing kernel panics or system crashes. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows a local user to cause a denial of service without requiring elevated privileges, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt system operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can result in complete system instability and denial of service conditions that can persist until the system is rebooted. The kernel's memory management subsystem is fundamental to all system operations, making any corruption in this area particularly devastating. The vulnerability can be exploited by any local user with basic system access, which means that even users with minimal privileges can potentially bring down critical systems. This makes the vulnerability especially concerning in multi-tenant environments or systems where multiple users have access to the same machine, as a single compromised user account could affect the entire system's availability.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed, and represents a classic example of how kernel memory management can be compromised through improper handling of system calls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for "Evasion: Windows: Systemd Service Manipulation" and T1566.001 for "Initial Access: Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment", though it's primarily a local privilege escalation vector rather than an initial access point. The vulnerability demonstrates how kernel-level flaws can be exploited to achieve system compromise and denial of service, which is consistent with the broader category of kernel exploits that are categorized under T1068 in the ATT&CK framework. Organizations should ensure their kernel versions are updated to 2.6.37-rc2 or later to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the underlying race condition in the mprotect system call implementation.