CVE-2010-4656 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The iowarrior_write function in drivers/usb/misc/iowarrior.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.37 does not properly allocate memory, which might allow local users to trigger a heap-based buffer overflow, and consequently cause a denial of service or gain privileges, via a long report.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4656 resides within the Linux kernel's usb misc driver subsystem, specifically in the iowarrior_write function located at drivers/usb/misc/iowarrior.c. This flaw represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow condition that emerged in kernel versions prior to 2.6.37, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing USB iowarrior devices. The vulnerability stems from inadequate memory allocation handling within the kernel's USB device driver framework, where the function fails to properly validate or allocate sufficient memory space for report data processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied data through the USB iowarrior device interface. When a local user crafts a malicious report with excessive data length, the iowarrior_write function attempts to process this input without adequate bounds checking or memory allocation verification. This results in a heap-based buffer overflow condition where the kernel's memory management system overwrites adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical data structures and control flow information. The flaw operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any local user with access to the USB device interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential privilege escalation capabilities. Attackers can leverage the heap corruption to manipulate kernel memory contents, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This represents a serious escalation from typical denial of service scenarios, as local users could theoretically gain root access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions earlier than 2.6.37, which were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments, making the potential impact substantial across numerous installations. The heap-based nature of the overflow provides attackers with multiple exploitation vectors and increases the reliability of successful exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4656 primarily focus on kernel version updates, with the most effective solution being the deployment of Linux kernel 2.6.37 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory allocation flaw. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems immediately, particularly in environments where local user access cannot be strictly controlled. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access controls to USB device interfaces, disabling unnecessary USB device drivers when not required, and monitoring for unusual USB device activity patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a technique commonly referenced in ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics where local users can leverage kernel vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space protection to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts.