Memory Leak in RDS Receive Message Function in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1000916: net: rds: fix memory leak in rds_recvmsg. Affects Kernel versions >= bdbe6fbc6a2f2ccfb384b141b257677d2a8d36fb, < 2038cd15eacdf7512755c27686822e0052eb9042. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing an interface for applications to interact with the hardware. The RDS (Reliable Datagram Sockets) protocol is a high-performance, low-latency communication protocol used for inter-process communication within the kernel. The vulnerability identified in the RDS module of the Linux Kernel allows for a memory leak to occur during the reception of messages.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the RDS module of the Linux Kernel results in a memory leak when receiving messages. This can lead to a gradual depletion of system memory resources, potentially causing system instability or denial of service. The vulnerability was introduced in version 2.6.30 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version 5.4.128. The specific commit that addresses this issue is 2038cd15eacdf7512755c27686822e0052eb9042. The memory leak occurs in the rds_recvmsg function, which is responsible for receiving RDS messages. When processing a received message, the function fails to release allocated memory, leading to a gradual accumulation of memory over time.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version 5.4.128 or later. This can be done by obtaining the updated kernel source code from the official Linux Kernel repository (https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/) and compiling it for the target system. Alternatively, users can wait for their Linux distribution to provide an updated package containing the fixed version of the kernel.
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Workaround
As a workaround, users can disable the RDS module if it is not required for their system. This can be done by blacklisting the 'rds' module or removing it from the kernel configuration. However, this workaround should only be considered if the RDS functionality is not essential for the system, as it may impact certain applications or services that rely on RDS communication.
Conclusion
The memory leak vulnerability in the RDS module of the Linux Kernel can lead to a gradual depletion of system memory resources, potentially causing system instability or denial of service. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version 5.4.128 or later to address this vulnerability. Users can also consider disabling the RDS module if it is not required for their system. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can result in a gradual depletion of system memory resources, potentially leading to system instability or denial of service.
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, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is important to apply the fix as soon as possible to mitigate the risk.
As a temporary measure, you can disable the RDS module if it is not required for your system. However, it is recommended to apply the fix as soon as possible to address the underlying vulnerability.
Any system running a Linux Kernel version between 2.6.30 and 5.4.127 is potentially susceptible to this vulnerability if the RDS module is enabled.
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