Critical Linux Kernel UDP Bug (CVE-2016-10229) Enables Remote Code Execution
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit a flaw in Linux kernel versions prior to 4.5’s udp.c, using crafted UDP packets with MSG_PEEK to trigger an unsafe checksum calculation, achieving arbitrary code execution and potential privilege escalation, though the vulnerability’s impact is limited due to rare MSG_PEEK usage.
Vulnerability Description
Linux kernel, the core of the Linux operating system released by the Linux Foundation, contained a security flaw in the udp.c file of versions prior to 4.5. The bug allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code by sending UDP traffic that triggers an unsafe second checksum calculation when the recv system call is used with the MSG_PEEK flag. Although the MSG_PEEK flag is rarely used in real‑world UDP services, the vulnerability (CVE‑2016‑10229) is classified as high severity.
Vulnerability Identifier
CVE‑2016‑10229
Affected Scope
The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions earlier than 4.5. Affected distributions include Google Android devices (Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Android One, Nexus Player, and other OEM variants), Ubuntu 12.04 and 14.04 series (16.04/16.10/17.04 are not affected), Debian 6‑8 series, SUSE 12 and 12SP1 (12SP2 and earlier are not affected), while Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5‑7 series are not affected.
Mitigation / Fix
Major Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Debian released patched kernel builds in February of the reporting year. Red Hat states its releases are not vulnerable. Google issued patches for Android in its monthly security bulletin. Vendors provide upgrade patches; the kernel commit can be viewed at https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=197c949e7798fbf28cfadc69d9ca0c2abbf931. Organizations running affected kernels should assess exposure and apply the updates.
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