NFS: Potential NULL Dereference in nfs_get_client()
Summary
GSD-2021-1000905: NFS: Fix a potential NULL dereference in nfs_get_client(). Affects Kernel versions >= 31434f496abb9f3410b10f541462fe58613dd3ad, < 0057ecef9f324007c0ba5fcca4ddd131178ce78b. 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 NFS (Network File System) is a distributed file system protocol that allows clients to access files over a network. It is commonly used in Linux systems to share files between computers. The nfs_get_client() function is responsible for retrieving the NFS client data structure associated with a given NFS client ID. This function is crucial for managing NFS clients and their interactions with the system.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as GSD-2021-1000905 in the Linux Kernel's NFS implementation involves a potential NULL dereference in the nfs_get_client() function. A NULL dereference occurs when a program attempts to access or manipulate data using a pointer that points to NULL (a non-existent memory address). In this case, the vulnerability could be triggered if the nfs_get_client() function is called with a NULL pointer as an argument. This could lead to a system crash (kernel panic) or potentially be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
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 workaround, users can avoid triggering the vulnerability by ensuring that the nfs_get_client() function is not called with a NULL pointer as an argument. This can be achieved by validating the input before invoking the function or by implementing proper error handling to prevent the NULL dereference from occurring.
Conclusion
The vulnerability identified in the Linux Kernel's NFS implementation, known as GSD-2021-1000905, involves a potential NULL dereference in the nfs_get_client() function. This vulnerability can be fixed by updating the Linux Kernel to version v5.4.126 or later. It is crucial to apply the recommended fix to prevent potential system crashes or exploitation. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The vulnerability could potentially lead to a system crash or be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
You can use Vulert's 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.
At the time of this report, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is crucial to apply the recommended fix to prevent any potential exploitation.
While updating the Linux Kernel is the recommended solution, you can mitigate the risk by ensuring that the nfs_get_client() function is not called with a NULL pointer as an argument. Implementing proper input validation and error handling can help prevent the NULL dereference from occurring.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the GSD-2021-1000905 JSON report available at https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2021/1000xxx/GSD-2021-1000905.json
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
