NFS: Use-after-free vulnerability in nfs4_init_client()
Summary
GSD-2021-1000883: NFS: Fix use-after-free in nfs4_init_client(). Affects Kernel versions >= 8dcbec6d20eb881ba368d0aebc3a8a678aebb1da, < 42c10b0db064e45f5c5ae7019bbf2168ffab766c. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Kernel package is a crucial component of the Linux operating system. It provides the core functionality and interfaces for the system's hardware and software components. NFS (Network File System) is a distributed file system protocol that allows remote file access over a network. The nfs4_init_client() function is responsible for initializing an NFSv4 client structure. This vulnerability in nfs4_init_client() can lead to a use-after-free condition, where a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed. This can result in various security issues, including potential remote code execution or denial of service attacks.
Vulnerability Detail
The use-after-free vulnerability in nfs4_init_client() arises due to improper handling of memory deallocation. When certain conditions are met, a client structure can be freed while still being referenced by other parts of the code. This can lead to memory corruption and potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the system. The vulnerability was introduced in Linux Kernel version 4.13 and has been fixed in version 4.19.195.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to update the Kernel to the fixed version to mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The use-after-free vulnerability in nfs4_init_client() poses a significant risk to the security and availability of systems running the affected versions of the Linux Kernel. It is crucial to update the Kernel to version 4.19.195 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The use-after-free vulnerability in nfs4_init_client() can potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the system, leading to a compromise of the affected system's security and availability.
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 in real-time to identify any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.
At the time of this report, there are no known public exploits targeting this specific vulnerability. However, it is crucial to apply the fix promptly to prevent any potential exploitation.
Yes, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely. An attacker can potentially craft malicious network requests to trigger the use-after-free condition and execute arbitrary code or crash the system.
For more technical details and references, you can refer to the vulnerability's source on the GSD Database: https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2021/1000xxx/GSD-2021-1000883.json
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