Denial of Service Vulnerability in Linux Kernel's Direct Rendering Manager (CVE-2013-7445)
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2013-7445: The Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem in the Linux kernel through 4.x mishandles requests for Graphics Execution Manager (GEM) objects, which allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (memory... 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 a core component of the Debian operating system, responsible for managing hardware resources and providing essential services to applications. The Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem within the kernel facilitates direct access to graphics hardware, enabling efficient rendering of graphics. However, this subsystem has been identified to mishandle requests for Graphics Execution Manager (GEM) objects, leading to potential vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7445 affects the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem in the Linux kernel versions up to 4.x. It arises from improper handling of requests for GEM objects, which can be exploited by context-dependent attackers. By crafting applications that process graphics data, such as those using JavaScript to create numerous CANVAS elements in browsers like Chrome or Firefox, an attacker can cause significant memory consumption, leading to a denial of service. This vulnerability poses a risk to system stability and performance, particularly in environments that rely heavily on graphical processing.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can limit the number of graphics-intensive applications running simultaneously or restrict the use of JavaScript in browsers to mitigate the risk of exploitation until the system can be updated.
Conclusion
CVE-2013-7445 is a significant vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager that can lead to denial of service through memory exhaustion. It is crucial for users of Debian systems to update their Linux packages to mitigate this risk. Temporary workarounds can help reduce exposure until a proper fix is applied.
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FAQ
CVE-2013-7445 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager that can lead to denial of service through excessive memory consumption.
This vulnerability can cause your system to become unresponsive or slow down significantly when exploited, particularly during graphics processing tasks.
Yes, if you are using Debian versions 11, 12, 13, or 14 with the Linux kernel up to version 4.x, your system is vulnerable to this issue.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider limiting the use of graphics-intensive applications or disabling JavaScript in your web browser as a temporary measure.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json. You can also check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
References
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