CVE-2018-10074 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The hi3660_stub_clk_probe function in drivers/clk/hisilicon/clk-hi3660-stub.c in the Linux kernel before 4.16 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) by triggering a failure of resource retrieval.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10074 resides within the Linux kernel's clock management subsystem, specifically in the hi3660_stub_clk_probe function located in drivers/clk/hisilicon/clk-hi3660-stub.c. This flaw affects kernel versions prior to 4.16 and represents a critical NULL pointer dereference issue that can be exploited by local attackers to cause system-wide denial of service conditions. The vulnerability manifests when the function encounters a failure during resource retrieval operations, leading to improper error handling that results in the kernel attempting to dereference a null pointer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error checking within the clock driver initialization process. When resource allocation fails during the probe operation of the hi3660 stub clock driver, the function does not properly validate the resource acquisition result before proceeding with subsequent operations. This failure to validate return values creates a scenario where a NULL pointer is passed to downstream functions that expect valid resource handles, ultimately resulting in a kernel panic or system crash. The flaw operates at the kernel level and requires no special privileges beyond local user access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any user with shell access to the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system stability and availability, particularly in embedded systems and mobile devices that utilize HiSilicon SoCs such as the Hi3660. The denial of service condition can result in complete system crashes, requiring manual reboot to restore functionality. This affects not only individual device reliability but also broader deployment scenarios where multiple devices operate in coordinated environments, as a single compromised device can disrupt entire systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.1 for network denial of service attacks that leverage kernel-level vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10074 primarily involve applying the official kernel patch released with version 4.16, which implements proper error handling for resource retrieval failures. System administrators should prioritize updating affected kernels to versions 4.16 or later, particularly in production environments where system stability is paramount. Additional protective measures include implementing kernel lockdown mechanisms, restricting local user privileges where possible, and monitoring for unusual system crashes or reboot patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying kernel module whitelisting policies and regular security audits of kernel components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced or exploited in other parts of the system. The patch addresses the root cause by ensuring that resource allocation failures are properly handled before any pointer operations are attempted, thereby preventing the NULL pointer dereference condition that leads to system instability.