CVE-2015-4822 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Sun Solaris 11.2 allows local users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Solaris Kernel Zones, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4831.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4822 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Sun Solaris 11.2 operating system, specifically impacting the Solaris Kernel Zones functionality. This issue falls under the broader category of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that can compromise system availability and stability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the kernel-level components that manage virtualization environments, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to disrupt critical system operations. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, CVE-2015-4822 operates through distinct attack vectors specifically related to kernel zone management, making it a unique threat vector within the Solaris ecosystem.
The technical flaw resides within the Solaris Kernel Zones implementation where improper handling of certain kernel operations creates opportunities for local users to exploit system resources. This vulnerability manifests in the kernel zone subsystem where memory management or resource allocation processes may not properly validate or sanitize inputs from local user contexts. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist within the kernel zone architecture that can be leveraged to cause availability issues, potentially leading to system crashes, resource exhaustion, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel zone management mechanisms that govern how virtualized environments interact with the underlying operating system resources, creating potential for privilege escalation or system instability.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to organizations relying on Solaris 11.2 systems with kernel zone implementations. Local attackers who can access system resources may exploit this weakness to cause system downtime, disrupt critical services, or potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over affected systems. The availability impact can range from partial service disruption to complete system failure, depending on how the vulnerability is exploited and the specific system configurations in use. Organizations utilizing kernel zones for virtualization, containerization, or system isolation may face particular risks as this vulnerability directly targets the core components that enable these security mechanisms.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation efforts through Oracle's official security patches and updates for Solaris 11.2 systems. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive system hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary kernel zone functionality where possible and implementing strict access controls for local user accounts. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual kernel activity or resource consumption patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege and regularly reviewing system configurations to minimize potential attack surfaces. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability relates to CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer, while ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1068 Local Privilege Escalation and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service techniques. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in related kernel components and ensure comprehensive protection against exploitation attempts.