CVE-2013-1059 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
net/ceph/auth_none.c in the Linux kernel through 3.10 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via an auth_reply message that triggers an attempted build_request operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1059 resides within the Linux kernel's Ceph storage authentication mechanism, specifically in the net/ceph/auth_none.c file. This flaw affects kernel versions through 3.10 and represents a critical security issue that can be exploited remotely by attackers to disrupt system operations. The vulnerability manifests when a malicious actor sends an auth_reply message that triggers an attempted build_request operation, creating a condition that leads to system instability. The Ceph storage system is widely used in enterprise environments for distributed storage solutions, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on kernel-based storage implementations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs during the authentication process within the Linux kernel's Ceph implementation. When an auth_reply message is received, the system attempts to execute a build_request operation that fails to properly validate pointer references, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a NULL pointer dereference, which represents a common weakness in software development where programs fail to check for NULL values before dereferencing pointers. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the authentication flow in such a way that the kernel's memory management system encounters an invalid pointer reference, leading to immediate system termination or crash.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially lead to unspecified other impacts that may include system instability, data corruption, or even privilege escalation in certain configurations. When the system crashes due to the NULL pointer dereference, it can result in complete service disruption for applications relying on Ceph storage, potentially affecting critical business operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network privileges to trigger the condition, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where Ceph services are exposed to untrusted networks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1059 should focus on immediate kernel updates to versions that contain the necessary patches addressing the NULL pointer dereference issue in the Ceph authentication module. Organizations should prioritize applying security patches from their kernel vendors or directly from the Linux kernel security team, as the vulnerability affects the core kernel functionality. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to Ceph services to trusted sources only, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual authentication patterns or repeated connection attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and pointer management in kernel space code, as highlighted by CWE-665 which addresses improper initialization of resources and CWE-823 which covers access of out-of-bounds pointers. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for the specific patterns associated with this vulnerability to provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts.