CVE-2012-3510 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the xacct_add_tsk function in kernel/tsacct.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.19 allows local users to obtain potentially sensitive information from kernel memory or cause a denial of service (system crash) via a taskstats TASKSTATS_CMD_ATTR_PID command.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The CVE-2012-3510 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in the Linux kernel's task accounting subsystem that affects versions prior to 2.6.19. This vulnerability resides within the xacct_add_tsk function located in kernel/tsacct.c, which handles the processing of task statistics commands. The flaw specifically manifests when handling the TASKSTATS_CMD_ATTR_PID command, creating a scenario where freed memory objects are accessed after their intended lifecycle has ended. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 as a use-after-free condition, which is a well-known class of memory safety issues that can lead to unpredictable behavior and security consequences. This particular implementation flaw occurs in the kernel's task accounting mechanism, which is responsible for tracking and reporting process statistics and resource usage.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a local attacker who can manipulate the taskstats interface to trigger the use-after-free condition. When the xacct_add_tsk function processes a TASKSTATS_CMD_ATTR_PID command, it fails to properly validate or handle the memory allocation and deallocation sequence, leading to a situation where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed. This memory access pattern can result in several security implications including information disclosure from kernel memory spaces or system instability leading to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within kernel space, meaning that successful exploitation can provide attackers with access to sensitive kernel data structures and potentially enable privilege escalation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials and system access to gain elevated privileges, though the initial access vector is local rather than remote.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3510 extends beyond simple system crashes, as the use-after-free condition can be leveraged to extract potentially sensitive information from kernel memory. This information disclosure capability stems from the fact that freed memory pages may still contain remnants of previously stored data, including process credentials, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive kernel structures. The vulnerability's potential for causing system crashes represents a denial of service threat that could be exploited to disrupt critical system operations, particularly in environments where kernel stability is paramount. In practical terms, this vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions earlier than 2.6.19, making it relevant for organizations maintaining legacy systems or those that have not properly updated their kernel versions. The exploitation requires local access to the system, but given that kernel-level vulnerabilities can provide attackers with elevated privileges, this local access is often sufficient for a complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3510 primarily focus on kernel version updates and system hardening measures. The most effective solution is to upgrade to Linux kernel version 2.6.19 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper memory management and validation of task statistics commands. System administrators should implement regular kernel update policies and maintain awareness of security advisories from kernel maintainers and security organizations. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls to system interfaces that expose task statistics functionality and monitoring for suspicious activity related to task accounting operations. The vulnerability's nature suggests that any system with local user access should be considered potentially compromised, making comprehensive system auditing and access control review essential. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel security modules such as grsecurity or PaX that provide additional protection against memory corruption vulnerabilities, though these solutions add complexity to system administration and may require specialized knowledge for proper configuration and maintenance.