Use-after-free vulnerability in wdt_startup() function in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1001416: watchdog: Fix possible use-after-free in wdt_startup(). Affects Kernel versions < 0ac50a76cf3cd63db000648b3b19f3f98b8aaa76. 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 facilitates communication between hardware and software. It provides essential functions for device drivers, memory management, and process scheduling. The wdt_startup() function is part of the watchdog subsystem in the Kernel, which is responsible for monitoring system health and triggering a system reset if necessary.
Vulnerability Detail
The wdt_startup() function in the Kernel is susceptible to a use-after-free vulnerability. This vulnerability occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service by manipulating the freed memory. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven, but it is considered a security risk.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. However, it is strongly advised to apply the recommended fix by updating the Linux Kernel to the latest version.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the wdt_startup() function in the Kernel is vulnerable to a use-after-free issue. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v4.14.240 or later. This fix addresses the use-after-free vulnerability and helps ensure the security and stability of the system. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The impact of this vulnerability could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service by exploiting the use-after-free vulnerability in the wdt_startup() function.
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 in real-time to identify any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.
There is no known exploit for this vulnerability at the moment. However, it is still important to apply the recommended fix to mitigate any potential risks.
The recommended solution is to update the Linux Kernel to the latest version. This ensures that the use-after-free vulnerability in the wdt_startup() function is addressed. There are no alternative solutions mentioned for this specific vulnerability.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the GSD-2021-1001416 JSON file available on the GitHub repository of the Cloud Security Alliance's GSD database (https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2021/1001xxx/GSD-2021-1001416.json).
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