Input validation error in Linux kernel

1) Input validation error

EUVDB-ID: #VU44877

Risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 3.8 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2011-0726

CWE-ID: CWE-20 - Improper input validation

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to gain access to sensitive information.

The do_task_stat function in fs/proc/array.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39-rc1 does not perform an expected uid check, which makes it easier for local users to defeat the ASLR protection mechanism by reading the start_code and end_code fields in the /proc/#####/stat file for a process executing a PIE binary.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 2.6.0 - 2.6.38.7

External links

http://downloads.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100145416
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commit;h=5883f57ca0008ffc93e09cbb9847a1928e50c6f3
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2011-0833.html
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/testing/v2.6.39/ChangeLog-2.6.39-rc1
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/47791
http://www.spinics.net/lists/mm-commits/msg82726.html
http://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=684569
http://lkml.org/lkml/2011/3/11/380

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?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.