CVE-2010-4459 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Solaris 11 Express allows local users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to SCTP and Kernel/sockfs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4459 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Solaris 11 Express operating system, specifically impacting the kernel level networking components. This issue manifests as an unspecified weakness that affects system availability through interactions with Stream Control Transmission Protocol and kernel sockfs subsystems. The vulnerability's classification as local privilege escalation means that an attacker with existing system access could potentially disrupt normal system operations or cause service unavailability. The affected kernel components suggest that this weakness operates at a fundamental level of the operating system's network stack implementation, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where system stability and availability are paramount.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the interaction between SCTP protocol handling and kernel sockfs filesystem operations, indicating that the flaw likely occurs during network socket management or protocol processing within the kernel space. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability could be categorized under CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer or CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, given that the unspecified vectors suggest potential buffer overflows or memory corruption issues during network protocol handling. The kernel sockfs component specifically relates to socket filesystem operations that manage socket communication interfaces, making this attack surface particularly dangerous as it could potentially allow denial of service conditions or system crashes through malformed network traffic or improper socket operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to enterprise network infrastructure running Oracle Solaris 11 Express systems. Attackers could exploit this weakness to cause system instability, leading to service disruptions that may affect critical business operations. The local user requirement means that the attack vector is more constrained than remote exploits, but the potential for availability impact remains significant. Organizations utilizing Solaris 11 Express for mission-critical applications could face substantial operational disruptions if this vulnerability is successfully exploited. The attack surface is particularly concerning for systems handling high volumes of network traffic or those serving as network infrastructure components where availability is crucial.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004 Network Denial of Service and potentially T1068 Local Privilege Escalation, depending on the specific exploitation method. Mitigation strategies should focus on applying Oracle's official security patches and updates as soon as they become available, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual socket behavior or SCTP protocol anomalies, and considering system hardening measures that restrict local user privileges where possible. Organizations should also implement robust patch management processes to ensure timely application of security updates across all Solaris 11 Express systems. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting kernel-level networking components, as the vulnerability's nature suggests potential for system-wide availability impacts that could affect entire network segments. The lack of specific details about the exact exploitation vectors underscores the importance of proactive security measures and maintaining current threat intelligence regarding similar vulnerabilities in the Solaris ecosystem.