Null pointer dereference in Linux kernel

Published: 2008-07-09

Risk	Low
Patch available	YES
Number of vulnerabilities	1
CVE-ID	CVE-2008-2812
CWE-ID	CWE-476
Exploitation vector	Local
Public exploit	N/A
Vulnerable software	Linux kernel Operating systems & Components / Operating system
Vendor	Linux Foundation

Security Bulletin

This security bulletin contains one low risk vulnerability.

1) Null pointer dereference

EUVDB-ID: #VU95737

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2008-2812

CWE-ID: CWE-476 - NULL Pointer Dereference

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to execute arbitrary code.

The Linux kernel before 2.6.25.10 does not properly perform tty operations, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly gain privileges via vectors involving NULL pointer dereference of function pointers in (1) hamradio/6pack.c, (2) hamradio/mkiss.c, (3) irda/irtty-sir.c, (4) ppp_async.c, (5) ppp_synctty.c, (6) slip.c, (7) wan/x25_asy.c, and (8) wireless/strip.c in drivers/net/.

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

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.