Actively exploited vulnerability
Linux Kernel: privilege escalation flaw under attack
CVE-2013-2094 · Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
What is affected
Linux Kernel is found on ordinary personal computers and phones, so this is not only a problem for companies. If you use it and have not updated since the fix was released, you are exposed.
Linux kernel fails to check all 64 bits of attr.config passed by user space, resulting to out-of-bounds access of the perf_swevent_enabled array in sw_perf_event_destroy(). Explotation allows for privilege escalation.
What an attacker can do
This is a privilege escalation flaw. It lets an attacker turn limited access into full administrator control. Attackers pair it with another flaw or a malicious file: once anything of theirs runs on the device, this bug lets it take over completely.
- How it is reached
- Needs access to the device or a file opened on it
- Access the attacker needs
- No account needed
- Does the victim have to do something?
- No, works without the victim doing anything
What to do
- Update Linux Kernel now. Open the update or "About" screen, install whatever is offered and restart the app or device, because the fix is not active until you do.
- Turn on automatic updates so the next fix arrives without you having to look for it.
- If your device is too old to receive this update, stop using the affected app for anything sensitive and plan a replacement.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Vendor advisories and fixes
- git.kernel.orggit.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=8176cced706b5e5d1588
How urgent is it
CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on September 15, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of attacks in the wild. US federal agencies must fix it by October 6, 2022, a deadline that has already passed. That deadline does not bind anyone else, but it shows how seriously the agency rates it.
The EPSS model estimates a 48% probability that this flaw will be exploited somewhere in the next 30 days. That is higher than 99% of all scored vulnerabilities.
Its CVSS severity score is 8.4 out of 10 (high), as recorded in the US National Vulnerability Database.
Technical description
The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 uses an incorrect integer data type, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted perf_event_open system call.