CVE-2023-2602 in libcap
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2023
A vulnerability was found in the pthread_create() function in libcap. This issue may allow a malicious actor to use cause __real_pthread_create() to return an error, which can exhaust the process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2602 resides within the pthread_create() function implementation in the libcap library, representing a critical memory management flaw that can be exploited to cause resource exhaustion. This issue specifically affects the __real_pthread_create() function call which serves as the underlying implementation for thread creation in capabilities-aware environments. The flaw manifests when error conditions are improperly handled during thread creation attempts, leading to memory allocation failures that can cascade into process memory exhaustion. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the core of POSIX thread management within capability-based security frameworks, where proper thread handling is essential for maintaining system stability and security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms within the libcap library's threading subsystem. When pthread_create() encounters specific failure conditions, the underlying __real_pthread_create() function fails to properly manage memory resources, resulting in memory leaks or allocation exhaustion. This behavior aligns with CWE-401, which addresses improper handling of memory allocation failures, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability exploits the interaction between capability-based security models and thread creation mechanisms, where the libcap library's attempt to enforce security policies during thread creation inadvertently creates conditions that lead to memory exhaustion. The flaw is particularly insidious because it operates silently in the background, consuming memory resources without immediate visible symptoms until the process reaches its memory limits.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-2602 extends beyond simple memory exhaustion to potentially compromise system stability and availability. Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability to perform denial-of-service attacks against applications that rely on libcap for capability management, causing processes to terminate unexpectedly or consume all available memory resources. Systems running applications with elevated privileges that utilize libcap for thread management are particularly vulnerable, as the exploitation can lead to complete system instability or service disruption. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where multiple threads are created frequently, as the memory exhaustion occurs progressively rather than immediately. This makes it particularly dangerous in server environments or applications that require extensive concurrent processing capabilities, where the gradual memory consumption can go unnoticed until system performance degrades significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2602 should focus on immediate patching of the libcap library to address the memory management error handling issues. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected systems to versions that contain corrected implementations of the pthread_create() function and related memory management routines. Additionally, monitoring should be implemented to track memory usage patterns and detect abnormal consumption that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of resource limits and process monitoring can help contain the effects of memory exhaustion attacks, while regular security audits should verify that applications properly handle thread creation errors. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation vectors, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to cause broader system compromise when combined with other attack techniques. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that the patched systems maintain their integrity against similar memory management flaws.