CVE-2010-2954

Description

From CVE.org

The irda_bind function in net/irda/af_irda.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.36-rc3-next-20100901 does not properly handle failure of the irda_open_tsap function, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and panic) and possibly have unspecified other impact via multiple unsuccessful calls to bind on an AF_IRDA (aka PF_IRDA) socket.

Statement

This issue did not affect the version of Linux kernel as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3, 4, 5, and Red Hat Enterprise MRG as it did not include support for the IrDA protocol.

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.

Acknowledgements

Red Hat would like to thank Tavis Ormandy for reporting this issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

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