CVE-2011-4914 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The ROSE protocol implementation in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not verify that certain data-length values are consistent with the amount of data sent, which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via crafted data to a ROSE socket.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The ROSE protocol implementation in Linux kernel versions prior to 2.6.39 contains a critical vulnerability that stems from inadequate validation of data-length parameters within socket communications. This flaw exists in the kernel's handling of ROSE protocol data structures, specifically affecting the verification mechanisms that should ensure data integrity between transmission and reception endpoints. The vulnerability manifests when the kernel fails to validate that specified data-length values correspond accurately to the actual data transmitted through ROSE sockets, creating a potential pathway for malicious exploitation.
This security weakness represents a classic buffer over-read condition that falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, where the kernel attempts to access memory beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers. The vulnerability occurs during the processing of crafted data packets sent to ROSE sockets, where attackers can manipulate length fields to trigger out-of-bounds memory access patterns. The lack of proper input validation allows adversaries to potentially read arbitrary kernel memory contents or force kernel crashes through malformed data sequences that exceed expected buffer limits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include potential information disclosure risks that could expose sensitive kernel memory structures to remote attackers. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability enables attackers to perform out-of-bounds reads that may reveal kernel memory contents including cryptographic keys, session data, or other confidential information. This represents a significant threat to system confidentiality and integrity, particularly in environments where ROSE protocol services are exposed to untrusted networks or where kernel memory contains sensitive operational data.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and control communications, as attackers can leverage the ROSE protocol implementation to establish covert channels or exfiltrate information from compromised systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that ROSE protocol implementations are used in telecommunications infrastructure and may be accessible from external networks, making this vulnerability exploitable by remote adversaries without requiring local system access. Network-based exploitation allows threat actors to target systems running vulnerable kernel versions through carefully crafted packet sequences that trigger the memory access violations.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Linux kernel version 2.6.39 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the data-length validation issue in the ROSE protocol implementation. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of ROSE protocol services to trusted networks only. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious ROSE protocol activity and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed packet sequences targeting this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected kernel versions and prioritize patch deployment according to risk assessment criteria.