Linux Kernel 3.12.14/3.13.6 xmit.c ath_tx_aggr_sleep race condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel 3.12.14/3.13.6. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ath_tx_aggr_sleep of the file drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/xmit.c. This manipulation causes race condition. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2014-2672. No exploit exists. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Linux Kernel 3.12.14/3.13.6 (Operating System). Affected by this vulnerability is the function ath_tx_aggr_sleep of the file drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/xmit.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a race condition vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-362. The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, and the code sequence requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence that is operating concurrently. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

Race condition in the ath_tx_aggr_sleep function in drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/xmit.c in the Linux kernel before 3.13.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a large amount of network traffic that triggers certain list deletions.

The weakness was disclosed 02/13/2014 by Max Sydorenko as Bug 70551 as confirmed bug report (Bugzilla). It is possible to read the advisory at bugzilla.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2014-2672 since 03/30/2014. The exploitation appears to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. Responsible for the vulnerability is the following code: 

ath_txq_lock(sc, txq);

buffered = ath_tid_has_buffered(tid);

tid->sched = false;
list_del(&tid->list);

if (ac->sched) {
   ac->sched = false;
   list_del(&ac->list);
}
The advisory points out:
Crashes observed only when Atheros 9380 based miniPCIe card is used (with ath9k driver). They mostly associated with heavy wireless bandwidth use, especially when torrent client with lots of connections runs over wifi. Distro in use is ArchLinux i686.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 74184 (Ubuntu 12.04 LTS : linux vulnerabilities (USN-2221-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Ubuntu Local Security Checks. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 123686 (Red Hat Update for kernel (RHSA-2014:1101)).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at bugzilla.kernel.org. A possible mitigation has been published 3 days after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (92114), Tenable (74184), SecurityFocus (BID 66492†), Secunia (SA57468†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-43876†). The entries VDB-12820 and VDB-12999 are pretty similar. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4

VulDB Base Score: 6.2
VulDB Temp Score: 5.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Race condition
CWE: CWE-362
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Unproven

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 74184
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS : linux vulnerabilities (USN-2221-1)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: bugzilla.kernel.org

Timelineinfo

02/13/2014 🔍
02/16/2014 +3 days 🔍
02/26/2014 +10 days 🔍
02/26/2014 +0 days 🔍
03/30/2014 +32 days 🔍
04/01/2014 +2 days 🔍
04/01/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/03/2014 +2 days 🔍
05/09/2026 +4419 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: Bug 70551
Researcher: Max Sydorenko
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2014-2672 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2014-2672
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-12727

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 92114 - Linux Kernel ath_tx_aggr_sleep() denial of service, Medium Risk
SecurityFocus: 66492 - Linux Kernel 'drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/xmit.c' Denial of Service Vulnerability
Secunia: 57468 - Linux Kernel ath9k "ath_tx_aggr_sleep()" Race Condition Vulnerability, Less Critical
Vulnerability Center: 43876 - Linux Kernel <3.13.7 Remote Denial of Service Vulnerability in 'ath_tx_aggr_sleep()\x27, High

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 04/01/2014 10:41
Updated: 05/09/2026 10:58
Changes: 04/01/2014 10:41 (80), 05/24/2017 10:57 (5), 06/16/2021 11:04 (3), 05/09/2026 10:58 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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