CVE-2022-3567 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2022
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function inet6_stream_ops/inet6_dgram_ops of the component IPv6 Handler. The manipulation leads to race condition. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. VDB-211090 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3567 represents a significant race condition flaw within the Linux kernel's IPv6 networking stack, specifically affecting the inet6_stream_ops and inet6_dgram_ops function handlers. This issue resides in the core networking infrastructure that governs how IPv6 packets are processed and transmitted across network interfaces. The race condition manifests when multiple threads or processes attempt to access shared resources within the IPv6 handler functions simultaneously, creating a scenario where the system's behavior becomes unpredictable and potentially exploitable. Such vulnerabilities in kernel networking components are particularly dangerous as they can affect the fundamental operation of network communications and may provide attackers with opportunities to disrupt services or escalate privileges.
The technical nature of this race condition within the IPv6 handler functions stems from inadequate synchronization mechanisms during concurrent access to shared data structures that manage IPv6 socket operations. When multiple network operations occur simultaneously on IPv6 sockets, the lack of proper locking or atomic operations can result in corrupted data structures, inconsistent state management, and potential memory access violations. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of concurrency issues that are classified as CWE-362, which specifically addresses Race Conditions in software development. The flaw enables attackers to potentially manipulate the timing of concurrent operations to exploit the inconsistent state of network socket handlers, leading to various security implications including denial of service, data corruption, or unauthorized access to network resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3567 extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects the reliability and security posture of Linux systems that rely on IPv6 networking capabilities. Systems utilizing IPv6 protocols for network communication, including web servers, database servers, and network infrastructure devices, may experience instability or security breaches when this vulnerability is exploited. The race condition can cause network stack crashes, leading to complete service outages that affect availability and potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers Application Layer Protocol: DNS, and could be leveraged in combination with other network-based attacks to establish persistent access or conduct more sophisticated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in environments where IPv6 is actively deployed and where network reliability is critical for system operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3567 primarily focus on applying the official kernel patches provided by Linux kernel maintainers, which typically involve implementing proper synchronization mechanisms and atomic operations within the affected IPv6 handler functions. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running kernel versions that include the vulnerable inet6_stream_ops and inet6_dgram_ops implementations. Additionally, network administrators can implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact if the vulnerability is successfully exploited. Organizations should also conduct thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing network configurations and applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel versions and implementing proper security controls for network infrastructure components.