netfilter: nft_limit: Avoid Possible Divide Error in nft_limit_init
Summary
GSD-2021-1000038: netfilter: nft_limit: avoid possible divide error in nft_limit_init. Affects Kernel versions >= c26844eda9d4fdbd266660e3b3de2d0270e3a1ed, < 01fb1626b620cb37a65ad08e0f626489e8f042ef. 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 netfilter package is a component of the Linux Kernel that provides firewall functionality. It allows for the filtering and manipulation of network packets at the kernel level. The nft_limit module within netfilter is responsible for rate-limiting network traffic based on specified criteria. This vulnerability, identified as GSD-2021-1000038, affects the nft_limit module and could potentially lead to a divide error during initialization.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability originates from a possible divide error in the nft_limit_init function of the netfilter package. If triggered, this error could result in a system crash or other unexpected behavior. The divide error occurs when the user specifies a limit value of zero, causing a division by zero operation. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to disrupt network traffic or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability was introduced in version v4.13 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.4.114.
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
If updating the Linux Kernel is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround can be implemented by avoiding the use of the nft_limit module or ensuring that the limit value specified is not zero. This can be achieved by modifying the relevant firewall rules or configurations to exclude the nft_limit module or provide a non-zero limit value.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the netfilter nft_limit module in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to a divide error during initialization. This vulnerability can potentially lead to system crashes or unauthorized code execution. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.4.114 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate updating is not possible, implementing the provided workaround can help mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
Netfilter is a component of the Linux Kernel that provides firewall functionality. It allows for the filtering and manipulation of network packets at the kernel level. The nft_limit module is a part of netfilter and is responsible for rate-limiting network traffic based on specified criteria.
If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to a system crash or other unexpected behavior. An attacker could potentially disrupt network traffic or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.4.114 or later. This update includes the necessary patch to address the divide error in the nft_limit module.
If updating the Linux Kernel is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround can be implemented by avoiding the use of the nft_limit module or ensuring that the limit value specified is not zero.
Users can obtain the updated Linux Kernel from the official Linux Kernel repository: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
