NFS: Corruption of pg_bytes_written in nfs_do_recoalesce()
Summary
GSD-2021-1000677: NFS: Don't corrupt the value of pg_bytes_written in nfs_do_recoalesce(). Affects Kernel versions >= a7d42ddb3099727f58366fa006f850a219cce6c8, < c757c1f1e65d89429db1409429436cf40d47c008. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Kernel package is a critical component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing the system's core functionality. It provides essential services such as process management, memory management, and device drivers. The NFS (Network File System) is a distributed file system protocol that allows remote file access over a network. It is commonly used in Linux environments to share files between systems. The vulnerability in question affects the NFS implementation in the Kernel package.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises in the nfs_do_recoalesce() function of the NFS implementation. It leads to the corruption of the value of pg_bytes_written, a critical variable used to track the number of bytes written to the page cache. This corruption can result in incorrect accounting of written bytes, potentially leading to data integrity issues and other unexpected behavior. The vulnerability was introduced in version v4.0 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v4.14.235.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a workaround, users can avoid the vulnerability by refraining from using the nfs_do_recoalesce() function or any functionality that relies on it. However, this may not be feasible in all scenarios, and it is strongly advised to apply the official fix by updating the Linux Kernel package.
Conclusion
The NFS vulnerability in the Linux Kernel package, which corrupts the value of pg_bytes_written in nfs_do_recoalesce(), can have significant implications for data integrity and system behavior. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel package to version v4.14.235 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further assistance and support in addressing this vulnerability, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to the corruption of the pg_bytes_written variable in the NFS implementation, potentially causing data integrity issues and unexpected behavior.
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 to the playground, and it will analyze the dependencies and alert you if any vulnerabilities are found.
At the time of this report, no known exploits for this vulnerability have been disclosed. However, it is crucial to apply the fix promptly to mitigate any potential risks.
The vulnerability itself does not provide remote exploitation capabilities. However, if an attacker gains access to a system with the vulnerable NFS implementation, they may be able to leverage this vulnerability to manipulate the pg_bytes_written variable and potentially cause data integrity issues.
For more detailed information about this vulnerability, including the specific code changes that fix it, you can refer to the vulnerability report at https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2021/1000xxx/GSD-2021-1000677.json.
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