Shift-out-of-bounds Vulnerability in sched/fair
Summary
GSD-2021-1000273: sched/fair: Fix shift-out-of-bounds in load_balance(). Affects Kernel versions >= 5a7f555904671c0737819fe4d19bd6143de3f6c0, < 805cea93e66ca7deaaf6ad3b67224ce47c104c2f. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux Kernel is an open-source monolithic Unix-like computer operating system kernel. It provides the essential services to enable programs to run on the computer's hardware. The 'sched/fair' component of the kernel is responsible for managing the fair scheduling of tasks across multiple CPUs. It ensures that tasks are distributed evenly to achieve optimal performance. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the 'load_balance()' function of 'sched/fair' that can lead to a shift-out-of-bounds issue.
Vulnerability Detail
The shift-out-of-bounds vulnerability in the 'load_balance()' function of 'sched/fair' in the Linux Kernel allows an attacker to manipulate the shift operation, potentially resulting in out-of-bounds memory access. This vulnerability can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition. The issue was introduced in version v5.10 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.12.4.
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, a possible workaround is to disable the affected functionality or limit access to the vulnerable component. However, this may impact system performance or functionality. It is strongly advised to update to the latest version of the kernel as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The shift-out-of-bounds vulnerability in the 'load_balance()' function of 'sched/fair' in the Linux Kernel can have serious security implications. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.12.4 or later to mitigate the risk. Regularly updating the kernel is essential to ensure the latest security patches are applied. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
This vulnerability can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition.
You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file and the Vulert Playground will analyze it for vulnerabilities.
At the time of this report, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is important to update the Linux Kernel to the latest version to mitigate the risk.
Yes, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely if the affected system is exposed to the internet and the attacker can send malicious requests.
The primary mitigation for this vulnerability is to update the Linux Kernel to the latest version. If immediate update is not possible, limiting access to the vulnerable component or disabling the functionality can provide temporary mitigation.
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