Format string error in Linux kernel

1) Format string error

EUVDB-ID: #VU42791

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2013-2851

CWE-ID: CWE-134 - Use of Externally-Controlled Format String

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local #AU# to execute arbitrary code.

Format string vulnerability in the register_disk function in block/genhd.c in the Linux kernel through 3.9.4 allows local users to gain privileges by leveraging root access and writing format string specifiers to /sys/module/md_mod/parameters/new_array in order to create a crafted /dev/md device name.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 3.9 - 3.9.3

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:linux_foundation:linux_kernel:3.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux_foundation:linux_kernel:3.9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux_foundation:linux_kernel:3.9.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux_foundation:linux_kernel:3.9.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux_foundation:linux_kernel:3.9.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-09/msg00003.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-09/msg00004.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2013-12/msg00129.html
https://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=137055204522556&w=2
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-1645.html
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-1783.html
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-0284.html
https://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2766
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/06/06/13
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1912-1
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1913-1
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1941-1
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1942-1
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=969515

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.