Data-races around sysctl_tcp_fastopen in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2022-1004119: tcp: Fix data-races around sysctl_tcp_fastopen. Affects Kernel versions >= 2100c8d2d9db23c0a09901a782bb4e3b21bee298, < 448ab998947996a0a451f8229f19087964cf2670. 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 the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing an interface for applications to interact with the hardware. It is a critical piece of software that enables the functioning of various devices and services on Linux-based systems. One of the components of the Linux Kernel is the TCP/IP stack, which handles network communication. Within the TCP/IP stack, there is a feature called sysctl_tcp_fastopen, which allows for faster establishment of TCP connections by sending data in the initial SYN packet. However, this feature has been found to have data-race issues, which can lead to potential security vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Detail
The data-race issues around sysctl_tcp_fastopen in the Linux Kernel can result in various security vulnerabilities. Data races occur when multiple threads or processes access shared data concurrently without proper synchronization, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential memory corruption. In the case of sysctl_tcp_fastopen, these data races can be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate the TCP connection establishment process, potentially leading to denial-of-service attacks, information disclosure, or privilege escalation. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.6 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.18.15.
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
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. The recommended approach is to update to the latest version of the Linux Kernel.
Conclusion
The data-races around sysctl_tcp_fastopen in the Linux Kernel can pose significant security risks, potentially leading to denial-of-service attacks, information disclosure, or privilege escalation. It is crucial to update to the latest version of the Linux Kernel (v5.18.15 or later) to mitigate these vulnerabilities. Regularly updating the Kernel is essential to ensure the application of the latest security fixes. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
sysctl_tcp_fastopen is a feature in the Linux Kernel's TCP/IP stack that allows for faster establishment of TCP connections by sending data in the initial SYN packet.
Data races occur when multiple threads or processes access shared data concurrently without proper synchronization, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential memory corruption.
The data-race issues in sysctl_tcp_fastopen can be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate the TCP connection establishment process, potentially leading to denial-of-service attacks, information disclosure, or privilege escalation.
The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.6 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.18.15.
To fix the data-race issues, it is recommended to update to the latest version of the Linux Kernel (v5.18.15 or later). Users can obtain the updated Kernel from the official Linux Kernel repository or through their respective Linux distribution's package management system.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
