CVE-2014-3535 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
include/linux/netdevice.h in the Linux kernel before 2.6.36 incorrectly uses macros for netdev_printk and its related logging implementation, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) by sending invalid packets to a VxLAN interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3535 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference issue within the Linux kernel's network device subsystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.6.36. This flaw exists in the include/linux/netdevice.h header file where improper macro usage for netdev_printk and associated logging functions creates a pathway for malicious packet manipulation to trigger system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects VxLAN (Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network) interfaces, which are widely used in modern networking infrastructures including cloud deployments and software-defined networking environments. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where malformed input data causes the kernel to attempt to dereference a null pointer during logging operations, resulting in immediate system termination.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of logging macros within the kernel's network device framework. When a VxLAN interface receives invalid packets, the netdev_printk macro fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to access memory locations that may not be initialized or may have been freed. This macro expansion pattern creates a condition where the kernel's logging subsystem attempts to print messages about network device operations using uninitialized or corrupted data structures. The flaw specifically manifests when the kernel tries to access the netdev_printk function with invalid packet data, leading to a NULL pointer dereference that causes the kernel to panic and ultimately crash the entire system. This represents a fundamental failure in input validation and memory management within kernel space operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3535 extends far beyond simple denial of service, as it can be exploited by remote attackers to systematically disrupt network services across affected systems. In enterprise environments where VxLAN is commonly deployed for virtual network segmentation, this vulnerability creates a significant risk of service disruption that could affect multiple networked applications simultaneously. The crash occurs at the kernel level, meaning that any service running on the affected system becomes immediately unavailable, potentially leading to cascading failures in distributed systems that rely on continuous network connectivity. Organizations using virtualized environments, containerized applications, or cloud infrastructure that employs VxLAN technology face particular risk as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause widespread service outages. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, as it specifically targets network infrastructure components to cause system-wide disruptions.
This vulnerability corresponds to CWE-476, NULL Pointer Dereference, which is a well-documented weakness in software security where programs attempt to access memory locations through null pointers. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics of CWE-121, Stack-based Buffer Overflow, and CWE-122, Heap-based Buffer Overflow, as the improper macro usage creates conditions where memory access violations occur during packet processing. The exploitation mechanism follows the ATT&CK tactic T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically through the execution of malicious network traffic that triggers the vulnerable code path. Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate kernel updates to versions 2.6.36 and later where the macro usage has been corrected. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed VxLAN packets targeting this specific vulnerability pattern, as the exploitation typically follows predictable traffic signatures that can be detected through network monitoring tools.