CVE-2011-1169 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Array index error in the asihpi_hpi_ioctl function in sound/pci/asihpi/hpioctl.c in the AudioScience HPI driver in the Linux kernel before 2.6.38.1 might allow local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly gain privileges via a crafted adapter index value that triggers access to an invalid kernel pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1169 represents a critical array index error within the AudioScience HPI driver component of the Linux kernel. This flaw exists in the asihpi_hpi_ioctl function located in sound/pci/asihpi/hpioctl.c, which is part of the kernel version prior to 2.6.38.1. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize adapter index values passed to the ioctl system call interface. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses situations where array indices are not properly validated before being used for memory access operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local attacker provides a crafted adapter index value that exceeds the valid bounds of the allocated array structure. The asihpi_hpi_ioctl function processes this malformed input without proper boundary checking, leading to an array index error that results in accessing invalid kernel memory locations. This memory corruption can manifest in two primary ways: either causing a system denial of service through kernel memory corruption that triggers a kernel panic or potentially enabling privilege escalation if the corrupted memory access allows for code execution within kernel space. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where local users can leverage the flaw to compromise system stability and security.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems running affected Linux kernel versions, particularly those utilizing AudioScience HPI hardware for audio processing applications. The local privilege escalation aspect means that any user with access to the system could potentially elevate their privileges to root level, creating a severe security compromise. The denial of service component can be exploited to repeatedly crash the system or render audio services unavailable, which could be particularly problematic in enterprise environments or real-time audio processing applications. This vulnerability affects systems where the AudioScience HPI driver is loaded and actively used, making it relevant to professional audio workstations, broadcast equipment, and any system requiring HPI driver support.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1169 primarily focus on immediate kernel updates to versions 2.6.38.1 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. The fix implemented in the patched kernel versions includes proper input validation and array boundary checking within the asihpi_hpi_ioctl function to prevent invalid adapter index values from being processed. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as restricting access to the affected driver interfaces and monitoring for suspicious ioctl calls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and denial of service tactics, with potential for lateral movement if the privilege escalation succeeds. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected kernel versions and prioritize patching efforts, particularly in environments where local user access cannot be strictly controlled. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel space drivers and highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing of device drivers before deployment in production environments.