CVE-2013-3750 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Solaris 11 allows local users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Kernel/VM
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3750 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Solaris 11 operating system that resides in the kernel and virtual memory subsystems. This unspecified flaw falls under the category of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities, where malicious users with legitimate access to the system can exploit this weakness to compromise the fundamental security properties of the operating environment. The vulnerability's classification as affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability indicates a severe impact that could potentially allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system resources, or disrupt system operations entirely. The kernel and virtual memory components are critical system areas where vulnerabilities can have cascading effects throughout the entire operating system architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability suggests it operates within the core system memory management functions that govern how processes interact with system resources and how memory is allocated and protected between different processes and system components. This type of vulnerability often stems from improper memory handling, race conditions, or insufficient access controls within kernel space operations that could allow a local user to manipulate memory structures or bypass security mechanisms that normally protect system integrity. The unspecified nature of the exact vector indicates that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple pathways within the kernel memory management subsystem, making it particularly challenging to fully characterize and patch without comprehensive system analysis.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for organizations running Oracle Solaris 11 systems as it allows local users to potentially escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass all three pillars of information security, meaning that an attacker could simultaneously compromise data confidentiality by accessing sensitive information, modify system integrity by altering critical files or processes, and disrupt availability by causing system instability or denial of service conditions. The local nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require network access or special authentication credentials to exploit the weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access is not strictly controlled.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Oracle security patches and updates as soon as they become available through Oracle's security advisory channels. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Solaris 11 and prioritize patching efforts based on risk assessment. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls, monitoring system logs for unusual activity patterns, and ensuring that user accounts have the minimum necessary privileges to reduce the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in memory management and improper access to memory locations, and may correspond to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that systems remain protected against both known and emerging threats targeting kernel-level vulnerabilities.