CVE-2012-2383 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the i915_gem_execbuffer2 function in drivers/gpu/drm/i915/i915_gem_execbuffer.c in the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem in the Linux kernel before 3.3.5 on 32-bit platforms allows local users to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds write) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted ioctl call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2383 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager subsystem, specifically affecting the i915 graphics driver implementation. This vulnerability exists in the i915_gem_execbuffer2 function located in drivers/gpu/drm/i915/i915_gem_execbuffer.c, which handles graphics command buffer execution for Intel graphics hardware. The issue is particularly significant because it affects 32-bit platforms where integer overflow conditions can more readily lead to exploitable memory corruption scenarios. The vulnerability manifests when a local user crafts a malicious ioctl call that triggers the integer overflow during buffer size calculations, potentially leading to out-of-bounds memory writes that can compromise system stability and security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the graphics command buffer execution path. When the i915_gem_execbuffer2 function processes user-supplied parameters for graphics operations, it fails to properly validate the size parameters that determine buffer allocation and execution boundaries. This allows an attacker to manipulate the input values such that arithmetic operations result in integer overflow, causing the kernel to allocate insufficient memory or calculate incorrect buffer offsets. The resulting out-of-bounds write condition can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting kernel data structures or even allowing privilege escalation under certain circumstances. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-190 Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness that frequently leads to memory corruption exploits in kernel space. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2383 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks on systems running affected Linux kernels. Local users who can execute privileged graphics operations can leverage this vulnerability to cause system crashes, leading to denial of service conditions that may require manual system reboot. More critically, the out-of-bounds write condition could allow for information disclosure or privilege escalation if the attacker can control the memory layout sufficiently to overwrite kernel data structures or function pointers. The vulnerability affects systems using Intel graphics hardware with the i915 driver, which was prevalent in many desktop and laptop systems during the affected time period, making it a widespread concern for organizations maintaining Linux-based computing environments. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel space operations and highlights how seemingly benign graphics processing functions can become attack vectors when insufficiently protected against malformed inputs. Organizations should prioritize updating to kernel versions 3.3.5 and later, which contain the necessary patches to prevent the integer overflow condition from occurring during graphics command buffer processing, thereby eliminating the risk of both denial of service and potential privilege escalation attacks.