x86/signal: Detect and prevent an alternate signal stack overflow in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1001340: x86/signal: Detect and prevent an alternate signal stack overflow. Affects Kernel versions >= c2bc11f10a39527cd1bb252097b5525664560956, < 00fcd8f33e9b9f57115c3b1cfc4cb96450c18796. 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 system resources and provides an interface for applications to interact with the hardware. It is responsible for tasks such as process management, memory management, and device drivers. The x86/signal module in the Kernel handles signals, which are software interrupts used for interprocess communication and event notification. Signals can be delivered to a process and handled by registered signal handlers. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the x86/signal module that allows for an alternate signal stack overflow.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the x86/signal module allows an attacker to trigger an overflow in an alternate signal stack. This can lead to a stack-based buffer overflow, potentially allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the system. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.15 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.4.134. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.4.134 or later. This can be done by downloading the updated Kernel source code from the official Git repository (https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/) and compiling it according to the provided instructions.
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Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The x86/signal module in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to an alternate signal stack overflow. It is recommended to update the Kernel to version v5.4.134 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The x86/signal module in the Kernel handles signals, which are software interrupts used for interprocess communication and event notification.
An alternate signal stack is a separate stack used by a process to handle signals. It provides a dedicated space for signal handlers to execute without interfering with the process's main stack.
By triggering an overflow in an alternate signal stack, an attacker can potentially execute arbitrary code or crash the system.
No, the impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.
To update the Linux Kernel, you can download the updated source code from the official Git repository and compile it according to the provided instructions.
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