tipc: Use-after-free Read in tipc_named_reinit
Summary
GSD-2022-1004473: tipc: fix use-after-free Read in tipc_named_reinit. Affects Kernel versions >= d966ddcc38217a6110a6a0ff37ad2dee7d42e23e, < cd7789e659e84f137631dc1f5ec8d794f2700e6c. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Kernel is a critical component of the Linux operating system that provides essential services and functions for the system's operation. It manages hardware resources, facilitates communication between software and hardware, and enforces security policies. The vulnerability in question affects the tipc module within the Kernel. The Transparent Inter-Process Communication (TIPC) protocol is a communication mechanism used for inter-process communication in distributed systems. The tipc_named_reinit function is responsible for reinitializing the TIPC named socket table. However, a use-after-free vulnerability exists in this function, which can lead to a read access to an already freed memory area. This vulnerability can potentially be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition.
Vulnerability Detail
The use-after-free vulnerability in tipc_named_reinit arises due to improper handling of memory during the reinitialization process. When the function is called, it attempts to free the existing named socket table and allocate a new one. However, if an error occurs during the allocation, the function fails to properly handle the cleanup of the previously allocated memory. This can result in a situation where the memory is freed, but a reference to it still exists. Subsequent read operations on this freed memory can lead to unexpected behavior, including the potential for code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability was introduced in Linux Kernel version 5.10 and has been fixed in version 5.15.51.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Conclusion
The use-after-free vulnerability in the tipc_named_reinit function of the tipc module within the Linux Kernel can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial-of-service attacks. It is crucial to update the Kernel to version 5.15.51 or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Regularly monitoring for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert can help ensure the timely application of security updates. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The use-after-free vulnerability in tipc_named_reinit can potentially be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition. This could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, system crashes, or other malicious activities.
You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert analyzes your application's manifest file, such as package-lock.json, to identify and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.
At the moment, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to the fixed version to mitigate the risk.
There are no known instances of this vulnerability being exploited in the wild. However, it is crucial to apply the necessary updates to protect against potential exploitation.
The discovery and reporting of this vulnerability are attributed to the Linux Kernel development community. The vulnerability was identified through code analysis and subsequently fixed in the Linux Kernel source code.
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