Linux Kernel ARM Platform get_user/put_user Missing Address Validation Arbitrary Kernel Memory Read/Write and Privilege Escalation (CVE-2013-6282)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTLinux kernel before version 3.5.5 running on v6k and v7 ARM platforms, including affected Android devices
Local attackers can exploit missing address validation in get_user and put_user APIs to read or write arbitrary kernel memory, leading to full root privilege escalation
Upgrade the Linux kernel to version 3.5.5 or higher, or apply the latest security patches provided by your OS/device vendor
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
The primary remediation is upgrading the Linux kernel to version 3.5.5 or later. For Debian/Ubuntu-based systems, use the following commands to update the kernel package:
# Update package repositories and upgrade the kernel
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade linux-image-generic linux-headers-generic -y
# Reboot the system to apply the new kernel
sudo reboot2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If immediate kernel upgrades are not feasible, restrict access to compilers and debugging tools to prevent local compilation and execution of exploit payloads.
# Restrict compiler execution to root only
sudo chmod 700 /usr/bin/gcc
sudo chmod 700 /usr/bin/make
# Restrict access to kernel pointers and dmesg logs
sudo sysctl -w kernel.dmesg_restrict=1
sudo sysctl -w kernel.kptr_restrict=23. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Use the following script to check the current kernel version and inspect system logs for potential exploitation attempts.
#!/bin/bash
# Retrieve kernel version and architecture
KERNEL_VER=$(uname -r)
ARCH=$(uname -m)
echo '[+] System Information:'
echo " Kernel Version: $KERNEL_VER"
echo " Architecture: $ARCH"
# Check if the platform is ARM
if [[ '$ARCH' =~ 'arm' ]]; then
echo '[!] Warning: ARM platform detected. Ensure your kernel is patched (>= 3.5.5).'
else
echo '[+] System is not running on ARM. CVE-2013-6282 is platform-specific.'
fi
# Scan system logs for kernel panic or exploitation indicators
echo '[+] Scanning dmesg for potential exploit indicators...'
sudo dmesg | grep -Ei 'unable to handle kernel|paging request|get_user|put_user'Block Kernel Privilege Escalation & Ransomware Payloads Before You Can Reboot
Protect unpatched Windows, Linux, and macOS workloads against in-memory exploitation and lateral movement with autonomous EDR.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2013-6282) exists in the get_user and put_user API functions of the Linux kernel on ARMv6k and ARMv7 platforms. These functions are designed to safely transfer data between user space and kernel space. However, they fail to properly validate whether the provided memory addresses reside within the designated user space boundary (CWE-20). Consequently, the kernel attempts to access any address passed to these functions, even if it points to restricted kernel space.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker with local unprivileged access can execute a crafted application that triggers system calls invoking get_user or put_user. By passing a kernel memory address (such as the system call table or process credential structures) instead of a user-space address, the attacker bypasses boundary checks. The kernel then reads from (get_user) or overwrites (put_user) the specified kernel memory location. This allows the attacker to modify process credentials to grant themselves root privileges. This vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild to root Android devices.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As a CISA KEV-listed vulnerability, this flaw poses a severe threat to legacy ARM-based infrastructure and Android deployments. Successful exploitation grants the attacker complete control over the operating system kernel. This leads to total compromise of data confidentiality, integrity, and system availability, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, extract sensitive data, and install persistent kernel-level rootkits.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
The (1) get_user and (2) put_user API functions in the Linux kernel before 3.5.5 on the v6k and v7 ARM platforms do not validate certain addresses, which allows attackers to read or modify the contents of arbitrary kernel memory locations via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild against Android devices in October and November 2013.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2013-6282)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2013-6282 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2013-6282 is rated CVSS 8.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 39.7%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2013-6282?
Primary impacted vendors include linux, google across linux_kernel, android. Scope summary: Linux kernel versions prior to 3.5.5 on ARMv6k and ARMv7 architectures, commonly found in older Android devices and embedded Linux distributions
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2013-6282 before patching?
[Mitigation] Upgrade the Linux kernel to version 3.5.5 or higher, or apply the latest security patches provided by your OS/device vendor Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
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