Loop with unreachable exit condition ('infinite loop') in Linux kernel

1) Loop with unreachable exit condition ('infinite loop')

EUVDB-ID: #VU99739

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 1.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2004-0554

CWE-ID: CWE-835 - Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop')

Exploit availability: Yes

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to perform service disruption.

Linux kernel 2.4.x and 2.6.x for x86 allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash), possibly via an infinite loop that triggers a signal handler with a certain sequence of fsave and frstor instructions, as originally demonstrated using a 'crash.c' program.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's repository.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:linux_foundation:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000845
https://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=15905
https://linuxreviews.org/news/2004-06-11_kernel_crash/index.html
https://lwn.net/Articles/91155/
https://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=108786114032681&w=2
https://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=108793699910896&w=2
https://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=108681568931323&w=2
https://secunia.com/advisories/20162
https://secunia.com/advisories/20163
https://secunia.com/advisories/20202
https://secunia.com/advisories/20338
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200407-02.xml
https://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1067
https://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1069
https://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1070
https://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1082
https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/973654
https://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2004:062
https://www.novell.com/linux/security/advisories/2004_17_kernel.html
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-255.html
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-260.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/10538
https://www.trustix.net/errata/2004/0034/
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/16412
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A2915
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9426

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.