CVE-2010-4250 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in the inotify_init1 function in fs/notify/inotify/inotify_user.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.37 allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via vectors involving failed attempts to create files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4250 represents a critical memory management flaw within the Linux kernel's inotify subsystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.6.37. This issue manifests through the inotify_init1 function located in fs/notify/inotify/inotify_user.c, which is responsible for initializing inotify file descriptors. The flaw occurs when the system encounters failed attempts to create files, leading to improper memory deallocation and subsequent resource exhaustion.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the inotify initialization process. When file creation operations fail, the kernel fails to properly release allocated memory structures, resulting in gradual memory leakage that accumulates over time. This memory leak directly impacts the system's ability to maintain sufficient available memory for legitimate operations, ultimately leading to a denial of service condition where the system becomes unresponsive due to memory exhaustion. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect system stability regardless of user privileges.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems relying heavily on inotify functionality for file monitoring and event handling. Attackers can exploit this flaw by repeatedly attempting to create files that will fail, causing the memory leak to accumulate until system resources are depleted. The impact extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, potentially affecting system responsiveness and availability for other legitimate processes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which categorizes memory leaks as a common weakness in software design, and represents a classic example of how improper resource management can lead to system instability.
The security implications of CVE-2010-4250 extend to various attack scenarios within the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the privilege escalation and denial of service tactics. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to systematically consume system memory, potentially causing cascading failures in applications that depend on available memory resources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling and resource cleanup in kernel space operations, as even failed operations should not result in memory leaks that can be exploited for sustained system degradation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to Linux kernel versions 2.6.37 or later, where the memory leak has been addressed through improved error handling mechanisms. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing resource limits and memory monitoring tools to provide early detection of potential memory exhaustion scenarios. The fix implemented in kernel 2.6.37 specifically addresses the improper memory deallocation that occurred during failed file creation attempts, ensuring that all allocated resources are properly released regardless of operation success or failure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of thorough testing and validation of error handling paths in kernel-level code, particularly in subsystems that handle file system events and notifications.