CVE-2013-2893 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The Human Interface Device (HID) subsystem in the Linux kernel through 3.11, when CONFIG_LOGITECH_FF, CONFIG_LOGIG940_FF, or CONFIG_LOGIWHEELS_FF is enabled, allows physically proximate attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based out-of-bounds write) via a crafted device, related to (1) drivers/hid/hid-lgff.c, (2) drivers/hid/hid-lg3ff.c, and (3) drivers/hid/hid-lg4ff.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2893 represents a critical heap-based out-of-bounds write flaw within the Linux kernel's Human Interface Device subsystem. This security weakness affects kernel versions through 3.11 and specifically manifests when certain logitech force feedback configuration options are enabled. The vulnerability resides in the HID subsystem's handling of specially crafted input devices that can trigger memory corruption during device initialization or operation. Attackers exploiting this flaw need only physical proximity to the target system to deliver malicious HID devices, making it particularly concerning for environments where untrusted USB devices might be connected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within three specific driver files within the Linux kernel source code. The drivers/hid/hid-lgff.c, drivers/hid/hid-lg3ff.c, and drivers/hid/hid-lg4ff.c components handle force feedback functionality for various Logitech gaming devices including the Logitech G940 and Logitech Wheels series. These drivers fail to properly validate input data from connected HID devices before processing force feedback commands, leading to heap memory corruption when malformed data is received. The out-of-bounds write occurs because the drivers do not perform adequate bounds checking on array indices or buffer sizes, allowing attackers to write data beyond allocated memory regions. This flaw directly maps to CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, which is classified as a critical weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2893 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially lead to system instability and arbitrary code execution in certain circumstances. When exploited, the heap corruption can cause kernel memory to become corrupted, leading to unpredictable behavior including system crashes, reboot cycles, or in more severe cases, privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability's accessibility through physical proximity makes it particularly dangerous in public or shared computing environments where users might connect untrusted USB devices. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise, as the malicious device can be crafted using standard HID device specifications, making it a significant concern for both enterprise and consumer environments. Organizations running Linux systems with the affected kernel versions and enabled force feedback configurations are particularly vulnerable to this attack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2893 involve multiple layers of defensive measures that align with established cybersecurity frameworks. The most effective immediate solution is to disable the problematic kernel configuration options through the kernel build system or runtime parameters, specifically CONFIG_LOGITECH_FF, CONFIG_LOGIG940_FF, and CONFIG_LOGIWHEELS_FF. System administrators should also implement strict USB device access policies and consider disabling USB hotplug functionality for untrusted users. Network segmentation and endpoint protection measures can help reduce the attack surface, while regular kernel updates provide the most comprehensive long-term solution. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in kernel space code and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the heap corruption could potentially be leveraged to escalate privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing USB device whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual HID device behavior to detect potential exploitation attempts.