Deadlock Vulnerability in drivers: staging: rtl8192eu
Summary
GSD-2022-1002544: drivers: staging: rtl8192eu: Fix deadlock in rtw_joinbss_event_prehandle. Affects Kernel versions < 25cf414b0610fea29d8e045f315648d9007c9a46. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The drivers: staging: rtl8192eu package is a component of the Linux Kernel, which is responsible for managing various hardware devices. It includes drivers for Realtek RTL8192EU wireless adapters. These drivers enable the communication between the operating system and the wireless adapter, allowing users to connect to wireless networks. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the rtw_joinbss_event_prehandle function of the rtl8192eu driver, which can lead to a deadlock situation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the rtw_joinbss_event_prehandle function of the rtl8192eu driver can result in a deadlock. A deadlock occurs when two or more threads are unable to proceed because each is waiting for the other to release a resource. In this case, the deadlock can be triggered when multiple threads try to join a Basic Service Set (BSS) simultaneously. This can lead to a system freeze or crash, rendering the wireless adapter unusable. An attacker with local access to the system could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
If updating the Linux Kernel is not immediately feasible, users can apply a workaround to mitigate the vulnerability. One possible workaround is to disable the affected wireless adapter or use an alternative adapter until the kernel is updated. This can be done by blacklisting the rtl8192eu driver module or physically disconnecting the wireless adapter from the system.
Conclusion
The deadlock vulnerability in the drivers: staging: rtl8192eu package can lead to a system freeze or crash, potentially causing a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.18.4 or later to fix this vulnerability. If immediate kernel update is not possible, applying the suggested workaround of disabling the affected wireless adapter or using an alternative adapter can help mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to a system freeze or crash, rendering the wireless adapter unusable. An attacker with local access to the system could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause 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.
Yes, the vulnerability has been fixed in the Linux Kernel version v5.18.4 by commit 25cf414b0610fea29d8e045f315648d9007c9a46. Users should update their Linux Kernel to version v5.18.4 or later to apply the patch.
Yes, you can apply a workaround to mitigate the vulnerability. One possible workaround is to disable the affected wireless adapter or use an alternative adapter until the kernel is updated. This can be done by blacklisting the rtl8192eu driver module or physically disconnecting the wireless adapter from the system.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the vulnerability database maintained by the Cloud Security Alliance. The specific vulnerability ID is GSD-2022-1002544. The database entry can be accessed at: https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2022/1002xxx/GSD-2022-1002544.json
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