CVE-2014-0101 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
The sctp_sf_do_5_1D_ce function in net/sctp/sm_statefuns.c in the Linux kernel through 3.13.6 does not validate certain auth_enable and auth_capable fields before making an sctp_sf_authenticate call, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) via an SCTP handshake with a modified INIT chunk and a crafted AUTH chunk before a COOKIE_ECHO chunk.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0101 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's Stream Control Transmission Protocol implementation that stems from inadequate input validation during the SCTP handshake process. This issue exists within the sctp_sf_do_5_1D_ce function located in net/sctp/sm_statefuns.c, affecting Linux kernel versions through 3.13.6. The vulnerability manifests when the kernel fails to properly validate auth_enable and auth_capable fields before invoking the sctp_sf_authenticate function, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's SCTP state machine.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted SCTP handshake sequence that involves modifying an INIT chunk and constructing a malicious AUTH chunk before the COOKIE_ECHO chunk is processed. This specific sequence allows attackers to manipulate the SCTP state machine's behavior by bypassing normal validation checks that should occur during the authentication process. The flaw specifically targets the authentication state handling within the SCTP protocol implementation, where the kernel's state function fails to verify that authentication parameters are properly initialized before attempting to perform authentication operations.
When exploited, this vulnerability results in a NULL pointer dereference condition that leads to an immediate system crash and denial of service. The underlying mechanism involves the kernel attempting to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized due to the missing validation checks. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can be leveraged for system instability and service disruption. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the system crash can potentially lead to complete system hangs or reboots, particularly in environments where SCTP is actively utilized for critical communications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0101 is significant for systems running affected Linux kernel versions, as the vulnerability can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or special privileges. Network infrastructure components, servers, and embedded systems that utilize SCTP for communication protocols become vulnerable to this attack vector, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and network environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a classic example of how protocol implementation flaws can be exploited to cause system instability. Organizations with systems running kernel versions 3.13.6 or earlier should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern, particularly those operating in environments where SCTP is used for mission-critical communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on kernel version updates and applying the appropriate security patches released by the Linux kernel development team. System administrators should prioritize upgrading to kernel versions that contain the fix for this specific flaw, which typically involves applying patches that add proper validation checks for the auth_enable and auth_capable fields before the authentication function is invoked. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules can be implemented to restrict SCTP traffic where possible, though this approach does not eliminate the vulnerability entirely. The fix for this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in protocol implementations and serves as a reminder of how seemingly minor validation gaps can lead to critical system instability. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SCTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be difficult to detect through standard security scanning methods due to its reliance on specific handshake sequence manipulation.