CVE-2019-17053 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
ieee802154_create in net/ieee802154/socket.c in the AF_IEEE802154 network module in the Linux kernel through 5.3.2 does not enforce CAP_NET_RAW, which means that unprivileged users can create a raw socket, aka CID-e69dbd4619e7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17053 resides within the Linux kernel's ieee802154 network module, specifically in the ieee802154_create function located in net/ieee802154/socket.c. This flaw affects Linux kernel versions through 5.3.2 and represents a significant privilege escalation issue that undermines the kernel's security model. The ieee802154 protocol is designed for low-rate wireless personal area networks commonly used in IoT devices and sensor networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for embedded systems and industrial environments where such protocols are prevalent.
The technical flaw stems from the ieee802154_create function's failure to properly enforce the CAP_NET_RAW capability check when creating raw sockets. In standard Linux security practices, the CAP_NET_RAW capability is required to create raw network sockets, which are essential for low-level network operations and packet manipulation. This capability is typically restricted to privileged processes or users with specific permissions, as raw sockets can be used to craft and transmit arbitrary network packets that bypass normal network stack protections. The absence of this capability check in the ieee802154_create function allows any unprivileged user to bypass the normal security restrictions and create raw sockets, effectively granting them access to network-level operations that should be restricted to privileged processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables unprivileged users to perform network-level attacks and reconnaissance that would normally require elevated privileges. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to capture network traffic, perform network sniffing, or even launch denial-of-service attacks against IEEE802154 networks. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited in various scenarios including container escapes, privilege escalation within compromised systems, and network-based attacks against IoT devices that rely on IEEE802154 protocols. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the kernel's mandatory access controls, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources and compromise the integrity of connected systems.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes inadequate privileges or permissions, and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking in kernel space. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of kernel vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access. The vulnerability also relates to the broader category of network reconnaissance and manipulation, which can be used to establish persistent access or to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations using Linux systems with IEEE802154 network capabilities are particularly at risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited in environments such as smart grids, industrial control systems, and IoT deployments where such protocols are commonly implemented.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2019-17053 include immediate patching of affected Linux kernel versions to 5.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary fix to enforce the CAP_NET_RAW capability check. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional security measures include restricting user access to systems with IEEE802154 capabilities, implementing proper network access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized socket creation activities. Organizations should also consider applying kernel lockdown mechanisms and ensuring that only trusted users have access to systems that might be vulnerable to this type of privilege escalation. The fix implemented in the patched kernel versions ensures that proper capability checks are enforced, restoring the intended security boundaries for raw socket creation within the IEEE802154 network module.