CVE-2013-7348 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the ioctx_alloc function in fs/aio.c in the Linux kernel before 3.12.4 allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving an error condition in the aio_setup_ring function.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7348 represents a critical double free error within the Linux kernel's asynchronous I/O subsystem, specifically affecting the ioctx_alloc function in fs/aio.c. This flaw exists in kernel versions prior to 3.12.4 and demonstrates a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise system stability. The double free condition occurs during error handling within the aio_setup_ring function, where improper memory management leads to the same memory block being freed twice, creating a potential exploitation vector for denial of service attacks or more severe consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling in the kernel's asynchronous I/O framework. When the aio_setup_ring function encounters an error condition, the ioctx_alloc function fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation sequences. This results in a scenario where the same memory location is placed on the free list twice, violating fundamental memory management principles. The vulnerability manifests when the kernel processes asynchronous I/O operations and encounters exceptional conditions that trigger the flawed error path, leading to the double free operation that can corrupt the kernel's memory management structures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system availability and stability. Local users can exploit this weakness to trigger system crashes through controlled denial of service attacks, effectively rendering the affected system unusable until manual reboot occurs. The potential for unspecified other impacts exists because memory corruption from double free vulnerabilities can lead to privilege escalation, data corruption, or even remote code execution depending on the specific exploitation context. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate elevated privileges, making it particularly concerning for multi-user environments where untrusted users might have access to system resources.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management, and aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through kernel exploitation and denial of service via system instability. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected kernel versions to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability exists in the core kernel functionality that governs all asynchronous I/O operations. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to kernel versions 3.12.4 or later where the double free condition has been corrected through proper error handling implementation. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any unusual system crashes or instability patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and implement appropriate access controls to limit local user privileges where possible.