CVE-2013-7026 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple race conditions in ipc/shm.c in the Linux kernel before 3.12.2 allow local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted application that uses shmctl IPC_RMID operations in conjunction with other shm system calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7026 represents a critical race condition flaw within the Linux kernel's shared memory implementation, specifically in the ipc/shm.c file. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to 3.12.2 and exposes systems to potential denial of service attacks as well as unspecified security implications. The race conditions occur during the handling of shared memory segments when multiple simultaneous operations are performed, creating exploitable timing windows that can be manipulated by local attackers.
The technical flaw stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the kernel's shared memory subsystem where concurrent access to shared memory segments through shmctl IPC_RMID operations can lead to memory corruption. When a crafted application performs IPC_RMID operations in conjunction with other shared memory system calls, the kernel's internal state management becomes inconsistent. The race conditions manifest as use-after-free scenarios where memory locations are accessed after being freed, or as system crashes due to improper memory management. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level and requires local system access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation might be possible.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7026 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Local users can leverage these race conditions to crash the entire system or cause unpredictable behavior in the shared memory subsystem, affecting applications that depend on proper memory management. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that under certain conditions, it might provide opportunities for privilege escalation or information disclosure. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-362 (Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.001 (Network Denial of Service) and potentially T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) depending on the specific exploitation vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7026 primarily focus on kernel version updates, with patching to Linux kernel 3.12.2 or later being the most effective solution. System administrators should prioritize applying security updates and maintaining current kernel versions to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges, monitoring shared memory usage patterns for anomalous behavior, and conducting regular security audits of kernel components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in kernel code and highlights the need for thorough testing of concurrent access scenarios in operating system components. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential system crashes resulting from this vulnerability.