CVE-2016-10150 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability in the kvm_ioctl_create_device function in virt/kvm/kvm_main.c in the Linux kernel before 4.8.13 allows host OS users to cause a denial of service (host OS crash) or possibly gain privileges via crafted ioctl calls on the /dev/kvm device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The CVE-2016-10150 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in the Linux kernel's KVM virtualization subsystem that affects versions prior to 4.8.13. This vulnerability resides within the kvm_ioctl_create_device function located in virt/kvm/kvm_main.c, making it a direct target for exploitation within the virtualization layer. The flaw specifically impacts the host operating system's handling of ioctl calls directed at the /dev/kvm device interface, which serves as the primary communication channel between user-space applications and the KVM hypervisor. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free condition under CWE-416, where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed, creating a dangerous state that can be exploited by malicious actors. This type of vulnerability typically arises from improper memory management where a pointer continues to reference memory that has already been deallocated, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential privilege escalation opportunities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks. Host OS users who can execute crafted ioctl calls against the /dev/kvm device interface can trigger the use-after-free condition, causing the host kernel to crash and resulting in a denial of service scenario that affects all virtual machines running on the system. However, the more concerning aspect is the potential for privilege escalation, where an attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The attack vector requires local access to the host system and the ability to make ioctl calls to the KVM device, which is typically restricted to users with appropriate permissions. This vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of KVM virtualization, as it allows a compromised user or process to potentially escape the confines of their virtualized environment and gain control over the host system. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or cloud computing scenarios where multiple users share the same physical host.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10150 primarily focus on patching the affected kernel versions to 4.8.13 or later, where the memory management issue has been addressed through proper pointer validation and memory deallocation procedures. System administrators should immediately apply the kernel updates provided by their distribution vendors, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring special privileges beyond access to the /dev/kvm device. Additional protective measures include restricting access to the KVM device interface through proper file permissions and access controls, ensuring that only trusted processes can make ioctl calls to the device. Network segmentation and monitoring can help detect anomalous ioctl activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, while implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as it enables attackers to execute commands with elevated privileges and leverage the host system's resources for further exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing virtualization-specific security controls and monitoring for suspicious virtual machine creation or modification activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel versions and implementing comprehensive security practices in virtualized environments where multiple security boundaries exist between host and guest systems.