CVE-2010-5332 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
In the Linux kernel before 2.6.37, an out of bounds array access happened in drivers/net/mlx4/port.c. When searching for a free entry in either mlx4_register_vlan() or mlx4_register_mac(), and there is no free entry, the loop terminates without updating the local variable free thus causing out of array bounds access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5332 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within the Linux kernel's mlx4 network driver component. This issue affects kernel versions prior to 2.6.37 and specifically targets the mlx4 driver responsible for managing Mellanox ConnectX series network adapters. The flaw manifests in the port.c file where the driver attempts to register virtual local area networks and media access control addresses within hardware resources. The vulnerability stems from inadequate boundary checking during resource allocation processes, creating a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the allocated array boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the execution of two primary functions: mlx4_register_vlan() and mlx4_register_mac(). When these functions attempt to locate available entries in hardware resource pools, they iterate through arrays to find free slots. However, when no free entries exist within the available pool, the loop terminates without properly updating a local variable named 'free'. This variable is crucial for tracking the correct array index position during subsequent memory operations. The failure to update this tracking variable results in a situation where the driver continues to reference memory locations beyond the legitimate array bounds, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5332 extends beyond simple memory corruption, creating significant security and reliability risks for affected systems. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause denial of service conditions by triggering the out-of-bounds access, leading to kernel panics or system crashes. More concerning is the potential for privilege escalation scenarios where the memory corruption could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within kernel space. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. The flaw affects systems running Linux kernels version 2.6.36 and earlier, making it particularly relevant for enterprise environments that may have legacy kernel versions in production.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5332 primarily focus on kernel version upgrades to 2.6.37 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper boundary checking implementation. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and conducting thorough testing to ensure compatibility with updated kernel versions. Additionally, monitoring for abnormal system behavior or kernel crashes can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular kernel updates and security assessments. The fix implemented in the patched versions ensures that the 'free' variable is properly updated even when no free entries are found, thereby preventing the out-of-bounds memory access that characterized the original vulnerability. This remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in kernel-level code development.