CVE-2015-5283 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The sctp_init function in net/sctp/protocol.c in the Linux kernel before 4.2.3 has an incorrect sequence of protocol-initialization steps, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic or memory corruption) by creating SCTP sockets before all of the steps have finished.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-5283 represents a critical race condition within the Stream Control Transmission Protocol implementation in the Linux kernel. This flaw exists in the sctp_init function located in net/sctp/protocol.c and affects all kernel versions prior to 4.2.3. The issue stems from an improper sequence of initialization steps that creates a window of opportunity for malicious local users to exploit the protocol stack before it has fully initialized. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for both system crashes and potential memory corruption, making it a serious threat to system stability and availability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect ordering of protocol initialization steps within the SCTP subsystem. When local users create SCTP sockets before the initialization process has completed, the kernel's protocol stack enters an inconsistent state. This race condition occurs because the sctp_init function does not properly synchronize the completion of all necessary initialization steps before allowing socket creation operations to proceed. The improper sequencing means that certain data structures and internal state variables may not be fully initialized when socket operations begin, leading to unpredictable behavior. According to CWE-362, this represents a race condition vulnerability where concurrent operations can lead to system instability, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5283 is severe and multifaceted. Local attackers can leverage this vulnerability to trigger kernel panics, which result in complete system crashes and require manual rebooting of affected systems. Additionally, the memory corruption aspect can lead to more subtle but equally dangerous consequences including data corruption, system instability, and potential privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability affects systems running kernel versions before 4.2.3, which includes many enterprise and embedded systems that may not have received timely updates. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and the potential for widespread disruption significant. The fact that only local users can exploit this vulnerability means that network-based attacks are not possible, but it still poses a substantial threat in environments where local access is possible or where privilege escalation techniques might be employed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5283 primarily involve upgrading to kernel versions 4.2.3 or later where the initialization sequence has been corrected. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running older kernel versions that may be vulnerable to this race condition. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges, monitoring system logs for signs of kernel panics or memory corruption, and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all kernel components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in kernel code and demonstrates how seemingly minor initialization order issues can lead to catastrophic system failures. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual kernel behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar race condition vulnerabilities in other kernel subsystems.