Race Condition in rcu-tasks Schedule and Flush Work in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2022-1003407: rcu-tasks: Fix race in schedule and flush work. Affects Kernel versions < ba722d061bc4b54802d701fc63fc2fd988934603. 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 Linux Kernel is a widely used open-source operating system kernel that serves as the foundation for numerous Linux distributions. It provides essential functionality for managing system resources, device drivers, and facilitating communication between hardware and software components. The rcu-tasks subsystem within the Linux Kernel is responsible for handling tasks related to Read-Copy Update (RCU) synchronization. RCU is a synchronization mechanism used to allow efficient read-side access to shared data structures without requiring locks. However, a race condition has been identified in the schedule and flush work of the rcu-tasks subsystem, potentially leading to unexpected behavior and data corruption.
Vulnerability Detail
The race condition in the schedule and flush work of the rcu-tasks subsystem can occur when multiple threads concurrently access and modify shared data structures without proper synchronization. This can result in inconsistent or corrupted data, leading to various security vulnerabilities and system instability. Attackers may exploit this vulnerability to manipulate data, escalate privileges, or cause denial-of-service conditions. The vulnerability has been assigned the ID GSD-2022-1003407 and has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.15.46 by commit ba722d061bc4b54802d701fc63fc2fd988934603.
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
As a temporary workaround, users can apply patches or backports provided by the Linux distribution maintainers. These patches may address the race condition and mitigate the associated risks until a complete kernel update can be performed. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the distribution maintainers to ensure proper application of the workaround.
Conclusion
The race condition in the schedule and flush work of the rcu-tasks subsystem in the Linux Kernel can lead to data corruption, system instability, and potential security breaches. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.46 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Alternatively, users can apply patches or backports provided by their Linux distribution maintainers. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to data corruption, system instability, and potential security breaches. Attackers may exploit this vulnerability to manipulate data, escalate privileges, or cause denial-of-service conditions.
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 to the playground, and it will analyze the dependencies and alert you if any vulnerabilities, including this one, are found.
At the time of this report, no known exploits for this vulnerability have been disclosed. However, it is important to promptly apply the recommended fixes to mitigate the risk.
The vulnerability itself does not provide remote exploitation capabilities. However, if an attacker gains access to the affected system, they may be able to exploit the vulnerability locally.
The primary solution is to update the Linux Kernel to the fixed version. However, if updating is not immediately feasible, applying patches or backports provided by the Linux distribution maintainers can serve as a temporary workaround.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
