ixgbe: Fix NULL pointer dereference in ethtool loopback test
Summary
GSD-2021-1000027: ixgbe: Fix NULL pointer dereference in ethtool loopback test. Affects Kernel versions >= b02e5a0ebb172c8276cea3151942aac681f7a4a6, < 758d19098df4b0bbca9f40d6ae6c82c9c18b9bba. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The ixgbe package is a driver for Intel 10 Gigabit PCI Express Network Interface Cards (NICs). It provides support for various features and functionalities of these NICs, including ethtool loopback testing. The ethtool loopback test is used to verify the functionality of the NIC by sending and receiving packets internally within the NIC itself. This test is crucial for ensuring the proper operation of the NIC and the network it is connected to.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the ixgbe package is a NULL pointer dereference issue that occurs during the ethtool loopback test. A NULL pointer dereference happens when a program attempts to access or manipulate data using a pointer that points to a NULL value. In this case, the vulnerability occurs when the ixgbe driver tries to access a NULL pointer while performing the ethtool loopback test. This can lead to a system crash or other unpredictable behavior, potentially causing a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.11 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.11.16.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is necessary to update the Linux Kernel to the fixed version.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ixgbe package in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to a NULL pointer dereference issue during the ethtool loopback test. This vulnerability can lead to system crashes and other unpredictable behavior. To mitigate the risk, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.11.16 or later. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to a system crash or other unpredictable behavior, potentially causing a denial-of-service (DoS) condition.
You can use the Vulert playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file and Vulert will analyze it for any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.
At the time of this report, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is important to apply the fix as soon as possible to prevent any potential exploitation.
It is not recommended to manually patch the vulnerability without updating the Linux Kernel. The fix provided in the updated version of the Linux Kernel includes necessary changes and improvements to address the vulnerability effectively.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the official GitHub repository of the Cloud Security Alliance's GSD Database (https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2021/1000xxx/GSD-2021-1000027.json).
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
