Linux Kernel up to 3.12.8 pgtable.h pmd_none_or_trans_huge_or_clear_bad null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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8.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Linux Kernel up to 3.12.8. This impacts the function pmd_none_or_trans_huge_or_clear_bad of the file include/asm-generic/pgtable.h of the component Linux Kernel. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2014-8173. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 3.12.8 (Operating System). Affected is the function pmd_none_or_trans_huge_or_clear_bad of the file include/asm-generic/pgtable.h of the component Linux Kernel. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The pmd_none_or_trans_huge_or_clear_bad function in include/asm-generic/pgtable.h in the Linux kernel before 3.13 on NUMA systems does not properly determine whether a Page Middle Directory (PMD) entry is a transparent huge-table entry, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted MADV_WILLNEED madvise system call that leverages the absence of a page-table lock.

The weakness was shared 03/16/2015 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2014-8173 since 10/10/2014. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 81885 (CentOS 7 : kernel (CESA-2015:0290)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family CentOS Local Security Checks. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 157062 (Oracle Enterprise Linux Security Update for Unbreakable Enterprise kernel (ELSA-2015-3013)).

Upgrading to version 3.12.9 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (81885) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-49102†). The entries VDB-68132, VDB-68133, VDB-68209 and VDB-68277 are related to this item. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.0

VulDB Base Score: 8.4
VulDB Temp Score: 8.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 81885
Nessus Name: CentOS 7 : kernel (CESA-2015:0290)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 80056
OpenVAS Name: Oracle Linux Local Check: ELSA-2015-3013
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Kernel 3.12.9
Patch: ee53664bda169f519ce3c6a22d378f0b946c8178

Timelineinfo

10/10/2014 🔍
03/04/2015 +145 days 🔍
03/16/2015 +12 days 🔍
03/16/2015 +0 days 🔍
03/18/2015 +2 days 🔍
03/30/2015 +12 days 🔍
05/01/2022 +2589 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: RHSA-2015:0290
Status: Not defined
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2014-8173 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2014-8173
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-74424
Vulnerability Center: 49102 - Linux Kernel before 3.13 Local DoS or Other Impact via Crafted MADV_WILLNEED Madvise System Call on NUMA Systems, High

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/30/2015 12:38
Updated: 05/01/2022 14:13
Changes: 03/30/2015 12:38 (62), 06/23/2017 10:23 (7), 05/01/2022 14:10 (5), 05/01/2022 14:13 (3)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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