CVE-2010-4458 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Solaris 11 Express allows local users to affect availability, related to ZFS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4458 resides within Oracle Solaris 11 Express operating system and represents a significant security flaw affecting the ZFS storage subsystem. This unspecified weakness specifically targets the ZFS file system implementation and grants local attackers with system access the ability to compromise system availability. The ZFS file system, known for its advanced features including data integrity checks, snapshots, and cloning capabilities, becomes a potential vector for denial of service attacks when exploited by privileged local users. The vulnerability's classification as affecting availability rather than confidentiality or integrity indicates that an attacker can disrupt system operations rather than directly access or modify data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation or error handling within the ZFS subsystem's implementation within Solaris 11 Express. Local users with existing system access can potentially manipulate ZFS operations in ways that cause system instability or complete service disruption. This type of vulnerability often manifests through buffer overflows, memory corruption issues, or improper resource management within kernel-level components that handle ZFS operations. The attack vector requires local system access, meaning that the threat actor must already have authenticated access to the system, typically through legitimate user accounts or compromised credentials. This local privilege requirement reduces the attack surface compared to remote exploits but still represents a critical risk when combined with other initial access vectors or privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4458 extends beyond simple system downtime as it can lead to complete system unavailability, data loss, or corruption of ZFS datasets. Organizations relying on Solaris 11 Express for critical storage operations face potential business disruption when this vulnerability is exploited, particularly in environments where ZFS is heavily utilized for data management and backup operations. The vulnerability affects system reliability and can result in cascading failures if ZFS is integral to system operations or if multiple ZFS datasets are compromised simultaneously. System administrators may experience challenges in troubleshooting and recovery operations when ZFS availability is compromised, as the affected subsystem may not respond to standard recovery procedures or diagnostic tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying Oracle's official security patches and updates released to address the specific ZFS implementation flaw. System administrators should prioritize patching Solaris 11 Express installations and verify that the patches properly address the availability concerns related to ZFS operations. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege management can limit the potential impact of local exploitation attempts. Monitoring systems for unusual ZFS activity or resource consumption patterns may help detect exploitation attempts before complete system compromise occurs. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant storage solutions or backup systems that can maintain availability even when primary ZFS operations are disrupted. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which covers "Improper Access to Resources via Universal Resource Identifier" and potentially CWE-121, "Stack-based Buffer Overflow", depending on the specific implementation flaw within the ZFS subsystem. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability relates to T1499.001, "File System Wipe", and T1486, "Data Destruction", as it enables local users to compromise system availability through ZFS operations, potentially leading to complete data destruction or system unavailability scenarios that align with these adversary tactics.