CVE-2013-2224 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
A certain Red Hat patch for the Linux kernel 2.6.32 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (invalid free operation and system crash) or possibly gain privileges via a sendmsg system call with the IP_RETOPTS option, as demonstrated by hemlock.c. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incorrect fix for CVE-2012-3552.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-2224 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's handling of network packet processing that emerged from an improper security fix. This issue specifically affects Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 systems running kernel version 2.6.32 and demonstrates how remediation efforts can inadvertently introduce new security risks. The vulnerability stems from an incorrect patch implementation for CVE-2012-3552, creating a dangerous regression that undermines the intended security improvements. The flaw manifests through the sendmsg system call when the IP_RETOPTS option is utilized, exposing a fundamental weakness in kernel memory management and packet processing routines. This particular vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by local users to either crash the system or potentially escalate privileges to root access. The hemlock.c demonstration code illustrates how attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious payloads that trigger invalid memory operations, leading to system instability or unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical root cause of CVE-2013-2224 lies in improper memory handling within the kernel's network stack implementation, specifically when processing IP_RETOPTS options during sendmsg operations. This flaw constitutes a classic case of memory corruption vulnerability where invalid free operations occur during packet processing, leading to kernel memory corruption. The vulnerability operates under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. The improper handling of network packet options during transmission creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate kernel memory structures, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system crashes. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local user access, meaning that any user with basic system privileges can exploit this vulnerability. The system crash occurs when the kernel attempts to free memory that has already been freed or is otherwise invalid, creating a condition that can be leveraged to cause denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, CVE-2013-2224 presents a significant threat to enterprise environments that rely on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 systems. The vulnerability can be exploited to cause system-wide denial of service, effectively taking critical infrastructure offline and disrupting business operations. Organizations running servers, databases, or network services on affected systems face potential downtime that could result in substantial financial losses and operational disruptions. The privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers could potentially gain root access to systems, providing them with complete control over the affected machines. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to malicious actors who seek to establish persistent access to enterprise networks. The fact that this vulnerability exists in a security patch for CVE-2012-3552 demonstrates the complexity and potential risks associated with kernel-level security updates, as well as the importance of thorough testing before deployment. The vulnerability affects systems that are widely deployed in enterprise environments, making it a significant concern for security teams responsible for maintaining system integrity and availability.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2224 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The most effective approach involves applying the official Red Hat security patches that properly address the vulnerability without introducing new issues. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to the latest kernel versions that contain corrected implementations of the network packet processing routines. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting local user access to critical systems. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network activity or memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, particularly those related to kernel exploits and memory corruption attacks. Security teams should implement comprehensive patch management processes that include thorough testing of security updates in controlled environments before deployment to production systems. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues that might exist in other kernel components or system configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for exploitation attempts of known kernel vulnerabilities and provide early warning of potential attacks.