Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls in Linux kernel

1) Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

EUVDB-ID: #VU44356

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.6 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2012-0056

CWE-ID: CWE-264 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

Exploit availability: Yes

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code.

The mem_write function in the Linux kernel before 3.2.2, when ASLR is disabled, does not properly check permissions when writing to /proc/<pid>/mem, which allows local users to gain privileges by modifying process memory, as demonstrated by Mempodipper.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 2.6.39

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:linux_foundation:linux_kernel:2.6.39:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://blog.zx2c4.com/749
https://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commitdiff;h=e268337dfe26dfc7efd422a804dbb27977a3cccc
https://secunia.com/advisories/47708
https://ubuntu.com/usn/usn-1336-1
https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/470151
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.2.2
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/01/18/1
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/01/18/2
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/01/19/4
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/01/22/4
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2012-0052.html
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2012-0061.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/51625
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=782642

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.