Vulnerability in Kernel (Linux): hwmon (w83791d) NULL Pointer Dereference
Summary
GSD-2021-1001599: hwmon: (w83791d) Fix NULL pointer dereference by removing unnecessary structure field. Affects Kernel versions < 44d3c480e4e2a75bf6296a18b4356157991ccd80. 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 functionalities for the proper functioning of the system. The hwmon subsystem within the Kernel is responsible for monitoring and controlling hardware devices. One of the modules in this subsystem, w83791d, is used for monitoring hardware sensors on certain motherboards. However, this module contains a vulnerability that can lead to a NULL pointer dereference.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the w83791d module of the hwmon subsystem allows an attacker to trigger a NULL pointer dereference by exploiting an unnecessary structure field. This can potentially lead to a system crash or other unexpected behavior. The vulnerability has been identified and fixed in the Linux Kernel version v5.4.151 by commit 44d3c480e4e2a75bf6296a18b4356157991ccd80. It is important to note that the impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Conclusion
The vulnerability in the w83791d module of the hwmon subsystem in the Kernel can be mitigated by updating to the fixed version of the Linux Kernel. It is crucial to keep the Kernel up to date to ensure the security and stability of the system. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The hwmon subsystem in the Kernel is responsible for monitoring and controlling hardware devices. It provides an interface for accessing hardware sensors and allows system administrators to monitor temperature, voltage, and other vital parameters.
The w83791d module is a part of the hwmon subsystem that specifically handles hardware monitoring for certain motherboards. It provides access to sensors for monitoring temperature, voltage, and fan speeds.
A NULL pointer dereference occurs when a program attempts to access or manipulate memory using a pointer that has not been assigned a valid memory address (i.e., it points to NULL). This can lead to crashes or other unexpected behavior.
The NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the w83791d module can potentially lead to a system crash or other unexpected behavior. However, the actual impact and attack plausibility have not been proven.
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