CVE-2016-10153 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The crypto scatterlist API in the Linux kernel 4.9.x before 4.9.6 interacts incorrectly with the CONFIG_VMAP_STACK option, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash or memory corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact by leveraging reliance on earlier net/ceph/crypto.c code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10153 resides within the Linux kernel's crypto scatterlist API implementation and specifically affects versions 4.9.x prior to 4.9.6. This issue emerges from an incompatibility between the scatterlist API and the CONFIG_VMAP_STACK kernel configuration option, creating a critical flaw that can be exploited by local attackers to compromise system stability. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory management operations when the vmap stack feature is enabled, which fundamentally alters how kernel memory is allocated and managed during cryptographic operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the interaction between the scatterlist API and virtual memory management when CONFIG_VMAP_STACK is enabled. The net/ceph/crypto.c code component, which handles cryptographic operations for Ceph storage systems, relies on assumptions about memory layout that break down when vmap stack is active. This creates a scenario where memory corruption can occur during cryptographic processing, as the scatterlist API fails to properly account for the virtual memory mapping changes introduced by vmap stack. The vulnerability manifests through improper memory dereferencing and allocation patterns that cause kernel memory structures to become corrupted, leading to system crashes or unpredictable behavior.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running affected kernel versions with vmap stack enabled. Local attackers can exploit this flaw to either trigger system crashes through memory corruption or potentially achieve more severe impacts including privilege escalation or data integrity compromise. The denial of service aspect is particularly concerning as it can render systems unusable without requiring elevated privileges, while the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests the possibility of more sophisticated exploitation vectors. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize Ceph storage components or any application relying on the crypto scatterlist API when vmap stack is enabled.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. The vulnerability represents a memory corruption issue that can be leveraged for privilege escalation when combined with other exploitation techniques, particularly in environments where vmap stack is enabled for performance optimization. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments using Ceph storage or similar distributed storage systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10153 involve immediate kernel updates to version 4.9.6 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the scatterlist API interaction with vmap stack. System administrators should also consider disabling the CONFIG_VMAP_STACK option if the system does not require the performance benefits it provides, particularly in environments where the vulnerability exposure is high. Additionally, monitoring for unusual system crashes or memory corruption patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough testing of kernel configuration options and their interactions, as seemingly benign features like vmap stack can create cascading effects that compromise system stability and security when combined with other kernel components.