CVE-2017-15128 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in the hugetlb_mcopy_atomic_pte function in mm/hugetlb.c in the Linux kernel before 4.13.12. A lack of size check could cause a denial of service (BUG).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15128 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's huge page memory management subsystem that affects versions prior to 4.13.12. This issue resides within the hugetlb_mcopy_atomic_pte function located in the mm/hugetlb.c file, which handles atomic page table entry operations for huge page memory mappings. The flaw manifests as an insufficient validation of memory copy operations that can lead to system instability and denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel's handling of huge page memory operations where memory is copied between different page table entries without proper size validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing boundary check within the memory copy routine that processes huge page mappings. When the kernel attempts to perform atomic memory operations on huge pages, the hugetlb_mcopy_atomic_pte function fails to validate that the source and destination memory regions are properly sized for the operation. This lack of validation allows for potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios that can trigger kernel BUG conditions. The absence of proper size checking creates a path where malicious or malformed memory operations can cause the kernel to enter an unrecoverable state, resulting in system crashes or complete denial of service. This flaw operates at the kernel level where memory management operations are critical for system stability and performance.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems relying on huge page memory management, particularly in high-performance computing environments, database servers, and virtualization platforms. The denial of service condition can result in complete system crashes that require manual intervention and system rebooting, leading to potential service interruptions and data loss. Systems utilizing large memory footprints or those running memory-intensive applications are most susceptible to exploitation of this vulnerability. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as kernel-level flaws can potentially provide attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations running affected kernel versions face immediate security concerns as this vulnerability can be exploited to disrupt critical services without requiring elevated privileges.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15128 primarily involve upgrading to kernel versions 4.13.12 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper size validation in the hugetlb_mcopy_atomic_pte function. System administrators should prioritize patching operations and conduct thorough testing of updated kernel versions in controlled environments before deployment. Additional operational controls include monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and implementing proper system hardening measures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials to gain system access. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel lockdown mechanisms and ensuring that only authorized users have access to memory management operations that could trigger such vulnerabilities. The fix implemented in the patched kernel versions includes comprehensive size validation checks that prevent invalid memory operations from causing kernel BUG conditions while maintaining system stability and performance.