CVE-2014-3532 in D-bus
Summary
by MITRE
dbus 1.3.0 before 1.6.22 and 1.8.x before 1.8.6, when running on Linux 2.6.37-rc4 or later, allows local users to cause a denial of service (system-bus disconnect of other services or applications) by sending a message containing a file descriptor, then exceeding the maximum recursion depth before the initial message is forwarded.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3532 represents a critical denial of service weakness within the D-Bus message bus system that affects versions prior to 1.6.22 and 1.8.6. This flaw specifically manifests when D-Bus operates on Linux kernel versions 2.6.37-rc4 or later, creating a condition where local attackers can exploit the system's handling of file descriptors within messages to disrupt service communication. The vulnerability stems from the improper management of recursive message processing when file descriptors are involved in D-Bus communication patterns. The technical implementation involves the system's inability to properly handle message forwarding when recursion depth is exceeded during the processing of file descriptor-containing messages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromising the stability of entire system communication networks. When exploited, the vulnerability causes system-bus disconnections that affect other services and applications running on the same D-Bus infrastructure, effectively creating cascading failures throughout the system. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation could occur, though the initial exploitation does not require elevated privileges. This weakness directly impacts the reliability of D-Bus-based applications and services that depend on continuous message bus connectivity.
The underlying technical flaw aligns with CWE-674, which describes "Uncontrolled Recursion" in software systems. This vulnerability demonstrates how improper recursion handling combined with file descriptor management can create exploitable conditions within system-level communication frameworks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this weakness maps to T1499.004, which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service," and potentially T1566.002 for "Phishing with Social Engineering," as the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against system stability. The root cause lies in the D-Bus implementation's failure to properly limit recursion depth when processing messages containing file descriptors, allowing attackers to consume system resources and force disconnections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3532 require immediate patching of affected D-Bus versions to the recommended secure releases. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual D-Bus activity patterns and establish resource limits for message processing to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of kernel version compatibility testing, particularly when upgrading D-Bus components on systems running kernel versions 2.6.37-rc4 or later. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected D-Bus versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality of services relying on D-Bus communication. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the potential impact of local exploitation attempts, though the most effective defense remains updating to patched versions that address the recursion handling flaw in the D-Bus message processing engine.