CVE-2016-10229 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
udp.c in the Linux kernel before 4.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via UDP traffic that triggers an unsafe second checksum calculation during execution of a recv system call with the MSG_PEEK flag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-10229 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Linux kernel's UDP implementation that enables remote code execution through carefully crafted network traffic. This flaw exists in the udp.c file and affects kernel versions prior to 4.5, making it a significant security concern for systems running older kernel versions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the recv system call is invoked with the MSG_PEEK flag, which allows applications to peek at incoming data without removing it from the receive queue.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in an unsafe second checksum calculation that occurs during the processing of UDP packets. When the kernel handles UDP traffic with the MSG_PEEK flag, it performs a secondary checksum verification that does not properly validate buffer boundaries or memory allocations. This improper handling creates a condition where maliciously constructed UDP packets can trigger memory corruption, leading to potential arbitrary code execution. The flaw is classified as a buffer overflow vulnerability, which aligns with CWE-121, indicating a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition, though the specific implementation involves heap memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the kernel itself. This means that an attacker could potentially gain full system control without requiring any local access or authentication. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it only requires sending specially crafted UDP packets to the target system, making it a passive attack that can be executed from anywhere on the network. The vulnerability affects all network services that utilize UDP with the MSG_PEEK flag, including but not limited to DNS servers, NTP services, and various network monitoring tools.
Systems running Linux kernel versions prior to 4.5 are at risk, particularly those with network services that process UDP traffic or applications that make use of the MSG_PEEK flag in recv calls. The vulnerability is especially concerning for network infrastructure devices, servers hosting public-facing services, and any system that accepts UDP traffic from untrusted sources. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations by upgrading to kernel version 4.5 or later, as this represents the most effective solution to address the vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules to limit UDP traffic from untrusted sources, though this approach provides only partial protection since the vulnerability can be exploited through legitimate network traffic. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and remote code execution techniques, specifically mapping to T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, emphasizing the critical nature of this flaw in the threat landscape.