CVE-2012-0723 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in IBM AIX 5.3, 6.1, and 7.1, and VIOS 2.2.1.4-FP-25 SP-02, does not properly implement the dupmsg system call, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0723 represents a critical flaw in the kernel implementation of IBM AIX operating systems across multiple versions including 5.3, 6.1, and 7.1, as well as VIOS 2.2.1.4-FP-25 SP-02. This issue specifically targets the dupmsg system call which serves as a fundamental mechanism for duplicating message queues within the operating system's streaming framework. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the kernel's handling of this particular system call, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that can result in complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability with potentially catastrophic consequences for enterprise environments relying on these systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of message queue duplication operations within the kernel's streaming subsystem. When a crafted application invokes the dupmsg system call with malformed parameters or specific sequence of operations, the kernel fails to properly validate the input data structures or maintain proper memory boundaries during the duplication process. This leads to memory corruption that can trigger kernel panics or system crashes, effectively causing a denial of service condition that renders the entire system inoperable. The flaw is classified as a buffer overflow condition in the kernel space, where the system call does not adequately check array bounds or validate pointer references during message queue manipulation. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions in kernel memory management.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0723 extends far beyond simple system downtime, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise infrastructure stability and business continuity. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this vulnerability to cause complete system crashes, potentially leading to data loss, service interruptions, and financial losses for organizations relying on AIX systems for mission-critical operations. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple AIX versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the kernel's message handling architecture that requires immediate attention. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities, and T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations using these systems face the risk of persistent system instability, especially in environments where AIX serves as the foundation for virtualization platforms or enterprise applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of vendor-provided patches and updates as released by IBM, while organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls to reduce the attack surface. System administrators should disable unnecessary applications that might invoke the dupmsg system call and monitor system logs for suspicious activity patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of kernel security modules and mandatory access controls can provide additional layers of protection against unauthorized exploitation of this kernel-level vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running affected versions of AIX and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit local access to critical systems and establish robust incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. Given the nature of the vulnerability, regular system monitoring and proactive security measures are essential to maintain operational integrity and prevent potential compromise of critical enterprise infrastructure.