Memory Leak in netlbl_cipsov4_add_std in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1001055: net: ipv4: fix memory leak in netlbl_cipsov4_add_std. Affects Kernel versions >= 96cb8e3313c7a12e026c1ed510522ae6f6023875, < 0ffb460be3abac86f884a8c548bb02724ec370f4. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Kernel is a critical component of the Linux operating system that manages communication between hardware and software. It provides essential services and functions for the system's operation. The netlbl_cipsov4_add_std function in the IPv4 networking subsystem of the Kernel is responsible for adding a standard CIPSOv4 label to a network label database. This label is used for security purposes to enforce access control policies. However, a memory leak vulnerability has been discovered in this function, which could lead to resource exhaustion and potential denial-of-service attacks.
Vulnerability Detail
The memory leak vulnerability in netlbl_cipsov4_add_std allows an attacker to repeatedly add CIPSOv4 labels to the network label database without releasing the allocated memory. This can result in a gradual depletion of system resources, leading to performance degradation or even a complete system crash. An attacker with local access to the system could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt the normal operation of the affected system. The vulnerability was introduced in version v2.6.19 of the Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.12.13.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a workaround, users can apply the patch manually to their existing Kernel version. The patch can be obtained from the commit 0ffb460be3abac86f884a8c548bb02724ec370f4 in the Linux Kernel repository. Users can follow the standard procedure for applying patches to their Kernel source code. Here is an example of how to apply the patch using the git apply command:
$ git apply -p1 < path/to/patch
It is important to note that applying patches manually can be complex and error-prone, so it is recommended to update to the latest Kernel version if possible.
Conclusion
The memory leak vulnerability in netlbl_cipsov4_add_std in the Kernel can result in resource exhaustion and potential denial-of-service attacks. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.12.13 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Users can also apply the provided patch manually as a workaround, but updating to the latest Kernel version is recommended. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The memory leak vulnerability in netlbl_cipsov4_add_std can lead to resource exhaustion and potential denial-of-service attacks. An attacker with local access to the system could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt the normal operation of the affected system.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert uses a manifest file like package-lock.json to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in the software.
Yes, users can apply the patch manually to their existing Kernel version as a workaround. However, it is recommended to update to the latest Kernel version if possible.
To update the Linux Kernel, you can obtain the latest version from the official Linux Kernel repository: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/
No, this vulnerability requires local access to the system to be exploited.
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