CVE-2013-2891 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/hid/hid-steelseries.c in the Human Interface Device (HID) subsystem in the Linux kernel through 3.11, when CONFIG_HID_STEELSERIES is enabled, allows physically proximate attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based out-of-bounds write) via a crafted device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2891 resides within the Linux kernel's Human Interface Device subsystem, specifically in the hid-steelseries.c driver module. This flaw affects Linux kernel versions through 3.11 and becomes exploitable when the CONFIG_HID_STEELSERIES configuration option is enabled during kernel compilation. The vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that demonstrates how hardware driver implementations can introduce significant risks to system stability and availability. The affected driver handles SteelSeries gaming devices, which are popular input devices including gaming mice and keyboards that utilize the HID protocol for communication with the operating system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a heap-based out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the kernel processes data from a maliciously crafted HID device. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the driver's handling of device reports, particularly when processing specific data structures sent by SteelSeries hardware. An attacker positioned in physical proximity to a target system can exploit this vulnerability by connecting a specially crafted malicious device that sends malformed HID reports to the kernel. The improper memory handling causes the kernel to write data beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and leading to unpredictable system behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can result in complete system crashes or reboots, effectively rendering the affected system unusable. The heap corruption can potentially lead to more severe consequences including privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution depending on the memory corruption patterns and system configuration. Given that the vulnerability requires physical proximity for exploitation, it represents a significant risk in environments where untrusted devices might be connected, such as public computing facilities, shared workspaces, or scenarios involving unattended systems. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require special privileges or network access, making it particularly concerning for physical security breaches and side-channel attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on disabling the affected driver module through kernel configuration changes, specifically by setting CONFIG_HID_STEELSERIES to n or removing the driver entirely from the kernel build. System administrators should also implement physical security measures to prevent unauthorized device connections, including securing USB ports and implementing device whitelisting policies. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, Heap-based Buffer Overflow, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for kernel-level privilege escalation. Regular kernel updates and patch management are essential for addressing this vulnerability, as the issue was resolved in kernel versions beyond 3.11. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous HID device behavior and establish comprehensive device management policies to prevent unauthorized hardware connections.