CVE-2010-4263 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The igb_receive_skb function in drivers/net/igb/igb_main.c in the Intel Gigabit Ethernet (aka igb) subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.34, when Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) and promiscuous mode are enabled but no VLANs are registered, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and panic) and possibly have unspecified other impact via a VLAN tagged frame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4263 represents a critical flaw in the Intel Gigabit Ethernet driver implementation within the Linux kernel ecosystem. This issue affects versions prior to 2.6.34 and specifically targets the igb_receive_skb function located in drivers/net/igb/igb_main.c. The vulnerability manifests when a system operates with Single Root I/O Virtualization enabled alongside promiscuous mode, creating a dangerous combination that exposes the kernel to malicious packet injection attacks. The flaw exploits a fundamental race condition in how the driver handles VLAN tagged frames under these specific operational conditions, where the absence of registered VLANs creates a path for exploitation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability relies on the driver's inadequate handling of VLAN tagged packets when the system configuration includes SR-IOV and promiscuous mode without any VLAN registrations. When such a packet is received, the igb_receive_skb function attempts to process the frame without proper validation of the VLAN tag structure, leading to a NULL pointer dereference that ultimately results in a kernel panic. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to system crashes and denial of service scenarios. The attack vector requires only a remote network connection to send specially crafted VLAN tagged frames, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where systems may be exposed to untrusted traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the system environment. A successful exploitation can cause complete system crashes, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations and potentially leading to extended downtime for critical infrastructure. In virtualized environments utilizing SR-IOV, this vulnerability becomes even more concerning as it can potentially be leveraged to compromise multiple virtual machines sharing the same physical hardware. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and proper input validation, as the driver fails to validate incoming packet structures before attempting to process them in contexts where the expected data structures may not be properly initialized.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4263 primarily focus on kernel version upgrades to 2.6.34 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the NULL pointer dereference issue. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary features such as promiscuous mode and SR-IOV when these are not required for operational purposes. Network segmentation and access control measures can provide additional defense-in-depth layers by limiting the exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted network traffic. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and defensive programming practices in kernel space code, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and denial of service. Organizations should implement regular security assessments and kernel updates as part of their vulnerability management processes to prevent exploitation of similar issues in the future.