CVE-2014-3687 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
The sctp_assoc_lookup_asconf_ack function in net/sctp/associola.c in the SCTP implementation in the Linux kernel through 3.17.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (panic) via duplicate ASCONF chunks that trigger an incorrect uncork within the side-effect interpreter.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3687 resides within the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) implementation of the Linux kernel, specifically in the sctp_assoc_lookup_asconf_ack function located in net/sctp/associola.c. This flaw affects kernel versions through 3.17.2 and represents a critical denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to cause system panics. The issue stems from improper handling of duplicate ASCONF chunks during the SCTP association process, creating a condition where the side-effect interpreter incorrectly manages the uncorking mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker sends duplicate ASCONF chunks to a targeted system running a vulnerable Linux kernel version. These chunks, which are used to update the association parameters in SCTP, trigger an incorrect uncorking behavior within the kernel's side-effect interpreter. This interpreter is responsible for managing the flow control and state transitions during SCTP operations, and when it encounters duplicate chunks under specific conditions, it fails to properly handle the state changes. The result is a kernel panic that terminates the system's operation, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or specialized privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems relying on SCTP for network communications, particularly those serving as servers or network infrastructure components. The remote attack vector means that any system exposed to the network and running a vulnerable kernel version could be compromised simply by receiving malicious SCTP traffic. This affects a broad range of applications including telecommunication systems, network equipment, and any service that utilizes SCTP for reliable message delivery. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its ability to cause complete system crashes, potentially leading to extended downtime and service disruption.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to improper handling of data structures within kernel space. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1595.001, covering reconnaissance techniques used to identify system vulnerabilities. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for systems that cannot tolerate service interruptions. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability through kernel updates, as the fix typically involves correcting the state management logic in the sctp_assoc_lookup_asconf_ack function to properly handle duplicate ASCONF chunks without triggering the problematic uncorking behavior. Additionally, network segmentation and filtering of SCTP traffic at perimeter defenses can provide temporary mitigation while patches are deployed.