CVE-2013-4254 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The validate_event function in arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c in the Linux kernel before 3.10.8 on the ARM platform allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) by adding a hardware event to an event group led by a software event.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-4254 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's performance monitoring subsystem specifically affecting ARM platforms. This issue resides within the validate_event function located in arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c, which governs the validation of performance events within the kernel's profiling infrastructure. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation when processing hardware events that are added to event groups managed by software events, creating a pathway for privilege escalation or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when the kernel attempts to validate hardware events in specific group configurations. When a local user crafts a malicious sequence involving hardware events added to groups led by software events, the validate_event function fails to properly handle the reference to a NULL pointer, resulting in an immediate system crash or kernel panic. This flaw operates at the kernel level, bypassing normal user-space protections and directly impacting the kernel's memory management and event processing mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to include potential privilege escalation opportunities that could allow local attackers to elevate their privileges within the affected system. This represents a significant security risk as local users who might not have elevated access could exploit this condition to gain root privileges, effectively compromising the entire system. Additionally, the denial of service aspect means that even without privilege escalation, an attacker could reliably crash the system by triggering the NULL pointer dereference condition, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where system stability is paramount.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software systems, and demonstrates how improper validation of event group configurations can lead to kernel-level exploits. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and system compromise methods, as it allows local users to gain elevated system privileges through kernel exploitation. The ARM-specific nature of this vulnerability means that all systems running Linux kernel versions prior to 3.10.8 on ARM architectures are potentially affected, including mobile devices, embedded systems, and ARM-based servers that rely on kernel performance monitoring features. Organizations should implement immediate patch management strategies to address this vulnerability, as the kernel version 3.10.8 and later contain the necessary fixes that properly validate event group configurations and prevent the NULL pointer dereference condition from occurring.
The remediation approach requires updating to kernel versions 3.10.8 or later, which include patches specifically addressing the event validation logic in the perf_event.c file. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline system behavior to quickly identify when this vulnerability might be targeted. Given the nature of the flaw, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected kernel versions and prioritize patch deployment across their infrastructure to prevent potential exploitation.