BPF Program Recursion Vulnerability in Linux Kernel - CVE-2022-49764
Summary
CVE-2022-49764: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Prevent bpf program recursion for raw tracepoint probes We got report from sysbot [1] about warnings that were caused by bpf program attached to co... Affects linux versions 5.10.103-1 – 6.9.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of many operating systems, responsible for managing hardware and system resources. It provides essential services for all other parts of the operating system. This vulnerability affects the BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) subsystem, which allows for the execution of user-defined programs in the kernel space, enhancing performance and flexibility in network packet processing. However, this feature can lead to potential recursion issues when improperly managed.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2022-49764 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF subsystem that allows for recursion of BPF programs attached to raw tracepoints. This issue arises when a BPF program calls the bpf_trace_printk helper, which can trigger the same tracepoint again, leading to a potential infinite loop. The recursion can cause system instability and performance degradation, as it may lead to excessive locking and contention in the kernel, ultimately affecting system responsiveness.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. However, users can avoid attaching BPF programs to raw tracepoints until the patch is applied to mitigate the risk of encountering this issue.
Conclusion
CVE-2022-49764 is a significant vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF subsystem that can lead to recursion issues, affecting system stability and performance. Users are advised to update their systems to the latest patched version to mitigate this risk. Monitoring tools like Vulert can assist in identifying vulnerabilities in open-source software.
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FAQ
CVE-2022-49764 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that allows for recursion of BPF programs, potentially leading to system instability.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
The vulnerability can lead to performance degradation and system instability due to excessive locking and contention in the kernel.
Yes, a patch is available in version 6.0.10-1 for Debian 12 and Debian 13. Users should update their kernel to this version.
BPF stands for Berkeley Packet Filter, a technology that allows user-defined programs to run in the kernel space for efficient packet processing.
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