CVE-2011-0712 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the caiaq Native Instruments USB audio functionality in the Linux kernel before 2.6.38-rc4-next-20110215 might allow attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a long USB device name, related to (1) the snd_usb_caiaq_audio_init function in sound/usb/caiaq/audio.c and (2) the snd_usb_caiaq_midi_init function in sound/usb/caiaq/midi.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0712 represents a critical buffer overflow issue within the Linux kernel's handling of Native Instruments USB audio devices through the caiaq driver implementation. This flaw affects kernel versions prior to 2.6.38-rc4-next-20110215 and specifically targets the audio and midi subsystems of the sound/usb/caiaq component. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing USB device names, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors to disrupt system operations or potentially achieve more severe consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests in two primary functions within the kernel's USB audio subsystem. The snd_usb_caiaq_audio_init function in sound/usb/caiaq/audio.c and the snd_usb_caiaq_midi_init function in sound/usb/caiaq/midi.c both fail to properly validate the length of USB device names before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs when an attacker supplies an excessively long USB device name that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten. The underlying cause aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. When exploited, the buffer overflows can cause kernel memory corruption that results in system crashes, leading to denial of service conditions that render the affected system unusable. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that attackers might potentially leverage this condition to execute arbitrary code within kernel space, although this remains unconfirmed. The nature of kernel-level buffer overflows provides attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or compromise system integrity, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted USB devices might be connected.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in kernel-level code and the potential for USB device drivers to serve as attack vectors. The ATT&CK framework classification would place this under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges or persist within systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that USB devices are commonly connected to systems and often automatically enumerate without user verification. Mitigation strategies should include immediate kernel updates to versions 2.6.38-rc4-next-20110215 or later, implementing USB device whitelisting policies, and monitoring for anomalous USB device enumeration patterns. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling unnecessary USB audio functionality and implementing proper input validation measures in custom USB device handling code to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future implementations.