CVE-2011-0001 in tgt
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the iscsi_rx_handler function (usr/iscsi/iscsid.c) in the tgt daemon (tgtd) in Linux SCSI target framework (tgt) before 1.0.14, aka scsi-target-utils, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors related to a buffer overflow during iscsi login. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2021
The CVE-2011-0001 vulnerability represents a critical double free condition within the tgt daemon's iSCSI implementation that fundamentally compromises system stability and security. This flaw exists in the iscsi_rx_handler function located in usr/iscsi/iscsid.c of the Linux SCSI target framework, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.0.14. The vulnerability manifests during iSCSI login operations when the daemon processes incoming network packets, creating a scenario where memory management routines attempt to free the same memory block twice. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management, making it a well-documented class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have historically led to system instability and potential exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of iSCSI login sequences where attackers can craft malicious packets that trigger the flawed memory handling logic. During normal operation, the iscsi_rx_handler function processes incoming iSCSI commands and manages buffer allocations for processing these requests. However, under specific conditions involving malformed or specially crafted login sequences, the function executes code paths that result in the same memory pointer being passed to the free() function twice. This double free operation creates a state where the memory allocator's internal data structures become corrupted, potentially leading to heap corruption that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks beyond simple denial of service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on affected systems. When the double free condition occurs, the memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical data structures or function pointers, allowing attackers to redirect execution flow or inject malicious code. The vulnerability affects systems running the Linux SCSI target framework where the tgt daemon is actively processing iSCSI connections, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise storage environments where iSCSI targets are commonly deployed. The attack vector requires network access to the iSCSI target port, typically TCP port 3260, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. The remediation strategy involves immediate patching of the tgt daemon to version 1.0.14 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the double free condition in the iscsi_rx_handler function. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to iSCSI target services, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious iSCSI traffic patterns, and maintain comprehensive monitoring of system stability indicators to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential memory corruption issues in similar network services and storage protocols that may present similar attack surfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in network services and highlights the need for thorough code reviews and security testing of storage protocol implementations.