CVE-2010-4661 in udisks
Summary
by MITRE
udisks before 1.0.3 allows a local user to load arbitrary Linux kernel modules.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4661 affects udisks versions prior to 1.0.3, representing a significant local privilege escalation risk within Linux systems. This flaw exists in the device management framework that handles removable media and storage devices, creating an avenue for malicious users to execute arbitrary kernel module loading operations. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and privilege controls within the udisks daemon, which is responsible for managing storage devices and their associated operations. When udisks processes device-related commands, it fails to properly validate the kernel modules being loaded, allowing local attackers to specify and load potentially malicious kernel modules that could compromise system integrity.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level and directly relates to CWE-427, which addresses uncontrolled search path usage, and CWE-20, which covers input validation issues. The technical implementation flaw occurs when udisks accepts user-supplied parameters for kernel module loading without adequate sanitization or privilege checks. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specific commands that bypass normal security controls, enabling them to load kernel modules with elevated privileges that would normally be restricted. The vulnerability essentially allows a local user to escalate their privileges to root level access, as kernel module loading typically requires root privileges and the ability to interact with system-level resources. This creates a critical security gap where standard user accounts can potentially gain administrative control over the system through manipulation of the udisks service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to systems and potentially establish backdoors or stealthy surveillance capabilities. Once a malicious kernel module is loaded, it can operate at the most privileged level of the operating system, making it extremely difficult to detect and remove. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond having local access to the system, making it a low-effort but high-impact exploit. Systems running affected versions of udisks are vulnerable to various attack scenarios including malware installation, data exfiltration, and system compromise, especially in environments where local access is not strictly controlled. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1543, covering persistence mechanisms that can be established through kernel module loading.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to udisks version 1.0.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and privilege enforcement mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local access to systems, monitoring for unusual kernel module loading activities, and ensuring that only trusted users have access to system device management interfaces. The fix implemented in version 1.0.3 addresses the core issue by introducing proper validation of kernel module parameters and enforcing stricter privilege controls during device management operations. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel module blacklisting policies and monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized kernel module loading attempts, as these provide additional layers of defense against similar vulnerabilities in the future.