CVE-2015-4817 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Sun Solaris 11.2 allows local users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via vectors related to Kernel Zones virtualized NIC driver.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4817 resides within Oracle Sun Solaris 11.2 operating system and represents a significant security flaw affecting the kernel zones virtualized network interface controller driver. This issue manifests as an unspecified weakness that enables local attackers to compromise the fundamental security properties of confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the virtualized network interface controller driver component that operates within the kernel zones environment, which is a critical architectural element for containerized virtualization in Solaris.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls within the kernel zones virtualized NIC driver implementation. When local users execute malicious code or exploit the driver through legitimate system interfaces, they can potentially manipulate the underlying network virtualization layer to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This weakness allows attackers to potentially intercept network traffic, modify data in transit, or disrupt network services that depend on the virtualized network infrastructure. The kernel zones environment creates isolated execution contexts where multiple virtual machines or containers operate, and the compromised NIC driver exposes a pathway for privilege escalation or lateral movement within these virtualized environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4817 extends beyond simple data compromise as it affects the core security pillars of information systems. Confidentiality breaches occur when attackers can eavesdrop on network communications between virtualized zones or access sensitive data that should remain isolated. Integrity violations enable malicious actors to modify network packets or system configurations, potentially leading to data corruption or unauthorized system changes. Availability threats emerge when attackers can disrupt network services or cause system instability through manipulation of the virtualized network drivers. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments heavily reliant on kernel zones for virtualization, including cloud deployments, containerized applications, and multi-tenant systems where network isolation is paramount.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a critical concern within enterprise environments running Oracle Sun Solaris 11.2, especially those utilizing kernel zones for virtualization. The attack surface is particularly concerning for systems that handle sensitive data or require strict network isolation between different operational zones. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to address this vulnerability, as the unspecified nature suggests potential for various exploitation vectors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 access control weaknesses and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and lateral movement through network infrastructure manipulation. Mitigation strategies should include disabling unnecessary kernel zones functionality, implementing strict network segmentation, and monitoring for anomalous network behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of virtualization components and proper access controls should be enforced to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to the compromised kernel zones network interface driver.