#VU41820 Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2014-2851

Vulnerability identifier: #VU41820

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 7.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2014-2851

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error when processing a crafted application that leverages an improperly managed reference counter. A local users can cause a denial of service (use-after-free and system crash) or possibly gain privileges.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Cybersecurity Help is currently unaware of any official solution to address this vulnerability.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 3.0 - 3.0.68, 3.1 - 3.13.9, 3.2 - 3.2.30, 3.3 - 3.3.8, 3.4 - 3.4.79, 3.5.1 - 3.5.7, 3.6 - 3.6.11, 3.7 - 3.7.10, 3.8.0 - 3.8.13, 3.9 - 3.9.11

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External links
https://secunia.com/advisories/59386
https://secunia.com/advisories/59599
https://www.debian.org/security/2014/dsa-2926
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/04/11/4
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/66779
https://www.securitytracker.com/id/1030769
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1086730
https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/davem/net.git/commit/?id=b04c46190219a4f845e46a459e3102137b7f6cac
https://lkml.org/lkml/2014/4/10/736

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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.