CVE-2016-10907 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in drivers/iio/dac/ad5755.c in the Linux kernel before 4.8.6. There is an out of bounds write in the function ad5755_parse_dt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10907 resides within the Linux kernel's industrial I/O (IIO) subsystem, specifically in the driver for the Analog Devices AD5755 DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) device. This flaw manifests in the ad5755_parse_dt function located in drivers/iio/dac/ad5755.c, representing a critical out-of-bounds write condition that can potentially compromise system integrity. The issue affects Linux kernel versions prior to 4.8.6, indicating a long-standing vulnerability that remained unpatched for an extended period. The AD5755 is a 16-channel, 16-bit DAC commonly used in industrial applications requiring precise analog signal generation, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for embedded systems and industrial control environments.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the device tree parsing function. When the kernel attempts to parse device tree parameters for the AD5755 DAC driver, the ad5755_parse_dt function fails to validate array access bounds before writing data to memory locations. This out-of-bounds write condition occurs when the driver processes device tree properties that define the DAC configuration, specifically related to channel assignments and operational parameters. The flaw allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions or overwriting critical kernel data structures. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in array indexing operations, and represents a classic example of buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides a potential pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise within embedded Linux environments. An attacker who can influence the device tree configuration or manipulate the hardware detection process may exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. This is particularly concerning in industrial settings where the AD5755 DAC is commonly deployed for critical control systems, as it could enable attackers to disrupt operations or gain unauthorized access to sensitive industrial processes. The vulnerability's exploitation requires either physical access to the device or the ability to influence device tree parameters during system boot, making it a significant concern for embedded systems where device tree modifications might occur through untrusted sources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through kernel exploits, potentially enabling lateral movement within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on kernel version updates and proper access controls. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to Linux kernel version 4.8.6 or later, where the bounds checking has been properly implemented in the ad5755_parse_dt function. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running embedded Linux distributions that may not receive timely security updates. Additionally, implementing proper device tree validation mechanisms and restricting access to device tree modifications can reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in kernel drivers and demonstrates the critical need for thorough code review processes, particularly for drivers handling hardware-specific configurations. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual device tree modifications or kernel memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.