#VU92843 Resource management errors in Linux kernel - CVE-2009-1046
Vulnerability identifier: #VU92843
Vulnerability risk: Low
CVSSv4.0: 5.4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Clear]
CVE-ID:
CWE-ID:
CWE-399
Exploitation vector: Local
Exploit availability: Yes
Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components /
Operating system
Vendor: Linux Foundation
Description
The vulnerability allows a local user to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.
The console selection feature in the Linux kernel 2.6.28 before 2.6.28.4, 2.6.25, and possibly earlier versions, when the UTF-8 console is used, allows physically proximate attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) by selecting a small number of 3-byte UTF-8 characters, which triggers an 'off-by-two memory error.' NOTE: it is not clear whether this issue crosses privilege boundaries.
Mitigation
Install update from vendor's repository.
Vulnerable software versions
Linux kernel: All versions
External links
https://lists.openwall.net/linux-kernel/2009/01/30/333
https://lists.openwall.net/linux-kernel/2009/02/02/364
https://secunia.com/advisories/34917
https://secunia.com/advisories/34981
https://secunia.com/advisories/35121
https://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1787
https://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1800
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.28.4
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/02/12/10
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/02/12/11
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/02/12/9
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0451.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/33672
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-751-1
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.
