CVE-2015-3288 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
mm/memory.c in the Linux kernel before 4.1.4 mishandles anonymous pages, which allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (page tainting) via a crafted application that triggers writing to page zero.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3288 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's memory management subsystem located in the mm/memory.c file. This issue affects kernel versions prior to 4.1.4 and stems from improper handling of anonymous pages during memory allocation and page management operations. The flaw specifically manifests when applications attempt to write to page zero, which is a privileged memory location that should normally be protected from direct user access. The vulnerability arises from the kernel's failure to properly validate and sanitize memory page operations when anonymous pages are involved, creating a pathway for malicious manipulation of the kernel's memory management structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through careful crafting of applications that can trigger the kernel to write to page zero while managing anonymous memory pages. This improper handling leads to what is known as page tainting, where the kernel's memory management system becomes corrupted or destabilized. The flaw allows local attackers with minimal privileges to potentially escalate their privileges to root level or cause a system-wide denial of service by corrupting the kernel's memory management data structures. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where the attacker can manipulate core memory management functions that govern how virtual memory is mapped and managed across the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system integrity and availability. Local users can leverage this flaw to either gain unauthorized administrative access to systems or to cause system crashes and hangs that result in denial of service conditions. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as the page tainting mechanism can destabilize the entire kernel memory management subsystem, potentially leading to data corruption or system instability. Security professionals must understand that this vulnerability can be exploited in environments where untrusted users have access to system resources, making it particularly concerning for multi-user systems, cloud environments, and server deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3288 primarily focus on upgrading to kernel versions 4.1.4 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper validation of anonymous page handling and memory management operations. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as disabling unnecessary kernel features, employing kernel hardening techniques, and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory safety issues, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1499 which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service." Organizations should prioritize patch management processes and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar memory management flaws that could provide similar attack vectors for privilege escalation or denial of service conditions.