CVE-2022-3105 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel through 5.16-rc6. uapi_finalize in drivers/infiniband/core/uverbs_uapi.c lacks check of kmalloc_array().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3105 resides within the Linux kernel version 5.16-rc6 and earlier, specifically within the Infiniband subsystem. This issue affects the uapi_finalize function located in the drivers/infiniband/core/uverbs_uapi.c file, which is responsible for managing user-space interface operations for Infiniband devices. The flaw represents a critical oversight in memory allocation validation that could potentially lead to system instability or security implications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper validation checks within the uapi_finalize function when handling kmalloc_array() operations. The kmalloc_array() function is designed to allocate memory for arrays of objects while performing overflow checks to prevent integer overflows during memory allocation. However, in this specific implementation, the function fails to verify the results of kmalloc_array() calls, which means that if the allocation fails or returns invalid memory pointers, the system may continue processing without proper error handling. This absence of validation creates a potential pathway for memory corruption or allocation failure scenarios that could be exploited by malicious actors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems relying on Infiniband networking capabilities, particularly in high-performance computing environments, data centers, and enterprise infrastructure where these devices are commonly deployed. The impact extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable privilege escalation or denial of service conditions that could disrupt critical network operations. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to cause system instability or gain unauthorized access to system resources, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities in the kernel's memory management subsystem.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-704, which covers incorrect type conversion or cast, and relates to improper handling of memory allocation failures within kernel space operations. This flaw also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials to gain access to systems, as the memory corruption could potentially enable privilege escalation. The lack of proper input validation in kernel memory allocation functions represents a fundamental security weakness that could be exploited to bypass kernel security mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected kernel versions to the latest stable releases that contain the necessary fixes for the uapi_finalize function. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of Infiniband-related system calls and memory allocation patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all systems running affected kernel versions, particularly those handling sensitive data or critical network operations. The implementation of proper memory allocation validation checks and regular kernel updates forms the cornerstone of effective defense against this specific vulnerability.