Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: cgroup: verify that source is a string

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

03/08/2021
N/A
No i
Unrated
Not published

GSD-2021-1001213: cgroup: verify that source is a string. Affects Kernel versions >= 8d2451f4994fa60a57617282bab91b98266a00b1, < a41573667b39152176f6b08d10b4deb171e541c4. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The Linux Kernel is a critical component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing an interface between hardware and software. It is a widely used open-source package that powers numerous devices, servers, and embedded systems. The cgroup subsystem in the Linux Kernel allows for resource allocation and control, enabling the management of groups of processes. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the cgroup subsystem that could potentially be exploited by attackers.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in the cgroup subsystem of the Linux Kernel arises from a failure to properly verify that the 'source' parameter is a string. This oversight could lead to various security issues, including potential buffer overflows or memory corruption. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause a denial-of-service condition. The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.1 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

As a temporary workaround, users can disable the affected functionality by modifying the system configuration to prevent the use of the cgroup subsystem. However, this may impact the performance or functionality of certain applications or system components. It is strongly recommended to apply the official fix as soon as possible.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in the cgroup subsystem of the Linux Kernel poses a significant security risk, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.13.4 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance with vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

The vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause a denial-of-service condition.

You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/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.

Yes, a temporary workaround is to disable the affected functionality by modifying the system configuration to prevent the use of the cgroup subsystem. However, it is recommended to apply the official fix as soon as possible.

The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.1 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.13.4.

You can find more information about this vulnerability in the official Linux Kernel repository (https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/) and the vulnerability database maintained by the Cloud Security Alliance (https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database).

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How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

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