CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2011-2498

Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime

Published: Feb 20, 2020 | Modified: Feb 25, 2020
CVSS 3.x
5.5
MEDIUM
Source:
NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CVSS 2.x
4.9 MEDIUM
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C
RedHat/V2
RedHat/V3
Ubuntu
LOW

The Linux kernel from v2.3.36 before v2.6.39 allows local unprivileged users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) by triggering creation of PTE pages.

Weakness

The product does not release a resource after its effective lifetime has ended, i.e., after the resource is no longer needed.

Affected Software

Name Vendor Start Version End Version
Linux_kernel Linux 2.3.36 (including) 2.6.39 (excluding)
Linux Ubuntu natty *
Linux Ubuntu upstream *
Linux-armadaxp Ubuntu upstream *
Linux-ec2 Ubuntu maverick *
Linux-ec2 Ubuntu upstream *
Linux-fsl-imx51 Ubuntu upstream *
Linux-lts-backport-maverick Ubuntu upstream *
Linux-lts-backport-natty Ubuntu lucid *
Linux-lts-backport-natty Ubuntu upstream *
Linux-lts-backport-oneiric Ubuntu upstream *
Linux-mvl-dove Ubuntu upstream *
Linux-ti-omap4 Ubuntu natty *
Linux-ti-omap4 Ubuntu upstream *

Potential Mitigations

  • Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
  • For example, languages such as Java, Ruby, and Lisp perform automatic garbage collection that releases memory for objects that have been deallocated.
  • Use resource-limiting settings provided by the operating system or environment. For example, when managing system resources in POSIX, setrlimit() can be used to set limits for certain types of resources, and getrlimit() can determine how many resources are available. However, these functions are not available on all operating systems.
  • When the current levels get close to the maximum that is defined for the application (see CWE-770), then limit the allocation of further resources to privileged users; alternately, begin releasing resources for less-privileged users. While this mitigation may protect the system from attack, it will not necessarily stop attackers from adversely impacting other users.
  • Ensure that the application performs the appropriate error checks and error handling in case resources become unavailable (CWE-703).

References