CVE-2009-4308

Description

From CVE.org

The ext4_decode_error function in fs/ext4/super.c in the ext4 filesystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.32 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference), and possibly have unspecified other impact, via a crafted read-only filesystem that lacks a journal.

Statement

The Linux kernel packages as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3, 4 and Red Hat Enterprise MRG do not include support for EXT4, and therefore are not affected by this issue.

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details

Info alert:Important note

CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).

CVSS v2 Score Breakdown

Red HatNVDcve.org
Base Score6.27.1N/A
Attack VectorLocalNetworkN/A
Access ComplexityHighMediumN/A
AuthenticationNoneNoneN/A
Confidentiality ImpactCompleteNoneN/A
Integrity ImpactCompleteNoneN/A
Availability ImpactCompleteCompleteN/A

Vector

Red Hat: AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

NVD: AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

Availability

Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart

NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.

Integrity,Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory

In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

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