Vulnerability in Kernel package (w83793) - NULL pointer dereference
Summary
GSD-2021-1001660: hwmon: (w83793) Fix NULL pointer dereference by removing unnecessary structure field. Affects Kernel versions < 7c4fd5de39f273626a2b0f3a446d2cc85cd47616. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Kernel package is a fundamental component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing various hardware devices and providing essential system functionalities. One of the modules within the Kernel package is the w83793 driver, which handles monitoring and control of hardware sensors. These sensors are used to measure temperature, voltage, and fan speed, among other parameters. Unfortunately, a vulnerability has been discovered in the w83793 driver that can lead to a NULL pointer dereference.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the w83793 driver arises from an unnecessary structure field that can cause a NULL pointer dereference. This issue can be exploited by an attacker to crash the system or potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability has been assigned the ID GSD-2021-1001660. Although the impact and attack plausibility have not been proven, it is crucial to address this vulnerability to ensure the security and stability of the system. The vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.10.71 by commit 7c4fd5de39f273626a2b0f3a446d2cc85cd47616.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can disable the w83793 driver module to mitigate the vulnerability. This can be achieved by blacklisting the module or preventing it from loading during system startup. However, it is important to note that this workaround may result in the loss of hardware monitoring and control functionality provided by the w83793 driver.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Kernel package's w83793 driver is vulnerable to a NULL pointer dereference issue. This vulnerability can potentially lead to system crashes or arbitrary code execution. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel package to version v5.10.71 or later to fix the vulnerability. Alternatively, users can temporarily mitigate the issue by disabling the w83793 driver module, although this may result in the loss of hardware monitoring and control functionality. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can potentially lead to system crashes or allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
You can use the Vulert Playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file to the playground, and it will provide real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
At the time of this report, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is essential to apply the fix promptly to prevent any potential exploitation.
Yes, you can temporarily mitigate the vulnerability by disabling the w83793 driver module. However, this may result in the loss of hardware monitoring and control functionality provided by the driver.
More details about the fix can be found in the commit 7c4fd5de39f273626a2b0f3a446d2cc85cd47616 in the Linux Kernel source code repository.
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