CVE-2018-11232 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The etm_setup_aux function in drivers/hwtracing/coresight/coresight-etm-perf.c in the Linux kernel before 4.10.2 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (panic) because a parameter is incorrectly used as a local variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11232 resides within the Linux kernel's hardware tracing subsystem, specifically in the coresight-etm-perf driver component. This flaw manifests in the etm_setup_aux function where improper parameter handling leads to a critical system instability condition. The affected driver is part of the CoreSight framework which provides hardware tracing capabilities for ARM-based systems, making this vulnerability particularly significant for embedded devices and mobile platforms that rely on such tracing mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a parameter misuse pattern where a function parameter is incorrectly treated as a local variable within the etm_setup_aux function. This misclassification creates a scenario where the kernel attempts to access memory locations using invalid parameter values, resulting in a kernel panic when the tracing subsystem is initialized or accessed. The improper parameter handling violates fundamental kernel programming practices and represents a classic example of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited to crash the entire operating system. This issue aligns with CWE-681, which categorizes improper use of a resource in a manner that can lead to system instability or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11232 extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions that affect system availability and reliability. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause the Linux kernel to panic and halt system operations, potentially leading to complete system downtime. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded systems, mobile devices, and automotive applications where continuous system operation is critical, as attackers could exploit this condition to disrupt services or create persistent system instability. The attack surface is broad as any application or process that interacts with the coresight tracing infrastructure could potentially trigger this condition, making it a high-impact vulnerability for system administrators and security professionals.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official kernel patch released as part of the Linux kernel version 4.10.2 security update. System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel installations to version 4.10.2 or later to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual kernel panic patterns or tracing subsystem behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and memory management in kernel space code, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which involves the use of system resource hijacking to cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive kernel code review processes and static analysis tools that can identify parameter misuse patterns in complex kernel subsystems.