x86/signal: Detect and prevent an alternate signal stack overflow in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1001198: x86/signal: Detect and prevent an alternate signal stack overflow. Affects Kernel versions >= c2bc11f10a39527cd1bb252097b5525664560956, < afb04d0b5543a5bf8e157b9119fbfc52606f4c11. 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 core functionalities and acts as a bridge between hardware and software. It manages system resources, facilitates communication between processes, and handles various low-level operations. The x86/signal module within the Kernel is responsible for handling signals, which are asynchronous notifications sent to processes to indicate events or errors. Signals can be delivered to alternate signal stacks, which are separate stacks used specifically for signal handling. These alternate signal stacks help prevent stack overflow issues in the main execution stack. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the x86/signal module that allows an attacker to trigger an overflow in the alternate signal stack, potentially leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) attack or arbitrary code execution.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the x86/signal module allows an attacker to overflow the alternate signal stack, which can have severe consequences. By carefully crafting a signal handler, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to overwrite critical data or execute arbitrary code. This can lead to a DoS condition, where the system becomes unresponsive or crashes, or even enable the attacker to gain unauthorized access to the system. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.15 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.13.4.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to update the Linux Kernel to the fixed version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Conclusion
The x86/signal module in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to an alternate signal stack overflow, which can lead to a DoS attack or arbitrary code execution. It is crucial to update the Kernel to version v5.13.4 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Failure to do so may result in system instability, crashes, or unauthorized access. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger an overflow in the alternate signal stack, potentially leading to a DoS attack or arbitrary code execution. This can result in system unresponsiveness, crashes, or unauthorized access.
You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert 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 update the Linux Kernel to the fixed version to prevent any potential exploitation.
Yes, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely if the affected system is exposed to the network. An attacker can send specially crafted signals to trigger the overflow in the alternate signal stack.
Unfortunately, there are no known mitigations or workarounds for this vulnerability other than updating the Linux Kernel to the fixed version. It is highly recommended to prioritize the update to ensure the security of your system.
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