Linux Kernel 3.10/3.12/3.14 IPv4 ICMP net/ipv4/ping.c ping_init_sock group_info numeric error

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel 3.10/3.12/3.14. It has been rated as problematic. This affects the function ping_init_sock of the file net/ipv4/ping.c of the component IPv4 ICMP Handler. Performing a manipulation of the argument group_info results in numeric error. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2014-2851. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel 3.10/3.12/3.14 (Operating System). This affects the function ping_init_sock of the file net/ipv4/ping.c of the component IPv4 ICMP Handler. The manipulation of the argument group_info with an unknown input leads to a numeric error vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-189. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Integer overflow in the ping_init_sock function in net/ipv4/ping.c in the Linux kernel through 3.14.1 allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free and system crash) or possibly gain privileges via a crafted application that leverages an improperly managed reference counter.

The weakness was shared 04/11/2014 by Xiaoming Wang as [PATCH] net: ipv4: current group_info should be put after using as confirmed patch (Mailing List). It is possible to read the advisory at lkml.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2014-2851 since 04/11/2014. The exploitability is told to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details and a public exploit are known. The reason for this vulnerability is this part of code: 

struct group_info *group_info = get_current_groups();
int i, j, count = group_info->ngroups;

A public exploit has been developed by Thomas Pollet in ANSI C and been published 1 weeks after the advisory. The exploit is shared for download at securityfocus.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 73607 (Oracle Linux 5 / 6 : Unbreakable Enterprise kernel (ELSA-2014-3019)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Oracle Linux 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 git.kernel.org. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (92407), Exploit-DB (32926), Tenable (73607), SecurityFocus (BID 66779†) and Secunia (SA59599†). The entries VDB-12727 and VDB-12820 are related to this item. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.6

VulDB Base Score: 8.4
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Numeric error
CWE: CWE-189
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Author: Thomas Pollet
Programming Language: 🔍
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 73607
Nessus Name: Oracle Linux 5 / 6 : Unbreakable Enterprise kernel (ELSA-2014-3019)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 702926
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 2926-1 (linux - security update
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
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Patch: git.kernel.org

Timelineinfo

04/11/2014 🔍
04/11/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/11/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/11/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/11/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/13/2014 +2 days 🔍
04/14/2014 +1 days 🔍
04/16/2014 +2 days 🔍
04/18/2014 +2 days 🔍
04/18/2014 +0 days 🔍
04/18/2014 +0 days 🔍
06/30/2014 +73 days 🔍
05/10/2026 +4332 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: [PATCH] net: ipv4: current group_info should be put after using
Researcher: Xiaoming Wang
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2014-2851 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2014-2851
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-12999

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 92407 - Linux Kernel ping_init_sock() privilege escalation, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 66779 - Linux Kernel 'ping_init_sock()' Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Secunia: 59599 - Ubuntu update for kernel, Less Critical
SecurityTracker: 1030769
Vulnerability Center: 43994 - Linux Kernel Local DoS and Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in ping_init_sock(), Medium

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 04/16/2014 17:38
Updated: 05/10/2026 15:13
Changes: 04/16/2014 17:38 (88), 05/25/2017 10:18 (12), 06/17/2021 12:38 (3), 06/17/2021 12:46 (1), 06/12/2024 17:47 (20), 05/10/2026 15:13 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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