The inotify_read function in the Linux kernel 2.6.27 to 2.6.27.13, 2.6.28 to 2.6.28.2, and 2.6.29-rc3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (OOPS) via a read with an invalid address to an inotify instance, which causes the devices event list mutex to be unlocked twice and prevents proper synchronization of a data structure for the inotify instance.
Weakness
The product does not properly acquire or release a lock on a resource, leading to unexpected resource state changes and behaviors.
Affected Software
| Name | Vendor | Start Version | End Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux_kernel | Linux | 2.6.27 (including) | 2.6.27.13 (including) |
| Linux_kernel | Linux | 2.6.28 (including) | 2.6.28.2 (including) |
| Linux_kernel | Linux | 2.6.29-rc3 (including) | 2.6.29-rc3 (including) |
| Linux | Ubuntu | intrepid | * |
| Linux | Ubuntu | jaunty | * |
| Linux | Ubuntu | upstream | * |
| Linux-source-2.6.15 | Ubuntu | upstream | * |
| Linux-source-2.6.22 | Ubuntu | gutsy | * |
| Linux-source-2.6.22 | Ubuntu | upstream | * |
Extended Description
Locking is a type of synchronization behavior that ensures that multiple independently-operating processes or threads do not interfere with each other when accessing the same resource. All processes/threads are expected to follow the same steps for locking. If these steps are not followed precisely - or if no locking is done at all - then another process/thread could modify the shared resource in a way that is not visible or predictable to the original process. This can lead to data or memory corruption, denial of service, etc.
Potential Mitigations
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/25.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/26.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/27.html
References
- http://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel\u0026m=123337123501681\u0026w=2
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.28.3
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/03/06/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/03/18/5
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/03/19/2
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/33624
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=488935
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/49331
- http://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel\u0026m=123337123501681\u0026w=2
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.28.3
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/03/06/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/03/18/5
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/03/19/2
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/33624
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=488935
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/49331