iwlwifi: mvm: Fix possible NULL dereference in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1001697: iwlwifi: mvm: Fix possible NULL dereference. Affects Kernel versions >= 7b3954a1d69a992a781e71036950f9254f8147f6, < 432d8185e9ffce97e3866ca71c39b0807a456920. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The iwlwifi package is a Linux kernel module that provides support for Intel Wireless WiFi Link Adapters. It allows users to connect to wireless networks and enables features such as wireless security protocols. The iwlwifi module is responsible for managing the wireless network interface and handling communication between the operating system and the wireless adapter.
This vulnerability affects the iwlwifi module in the Linux Kernel. It is caused by a possible NULL dereference, which means that the code may attempt to access a memory location that is not valid (NULL pointer). This can lead to a system crash or other unexpected behavior.
The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.14 of the Linux Kernel by commit 7b3954a1d69a992a781e71036950f9254f8147f6. It has been fixed in version v5.14.12 by commit 432d8185e9ffce97e3866ca71c39b0807a456920.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the iwlwifi module arises from a possible NULL dereference. When certain conditions are met, the code may attempt to access a memory location that is NULL, resulting in a crash or other unexpected behavior. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) attack or execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges.
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to have local access to the affected system and the ability to execute malicious code. The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the specific system configuration and the presence of any mitigating factors.
It is important to note that this vulnerability has not been proven to be exploitable in a real-world scenario, but it is still considered a potential security risk.
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 v5.14.12 or later. This update includes the necessary patches to address the NULL dereference issue in the iwlwifi module.
To update the Linux Kernel, follow these steps:
- Identify the current version of the Linux Kernel installed on your system.
- Check if a newer version is available for your distribution.
- If a newer version is available, download and install the updated kernel package.
- Reboot the system to apply the changes.
After updating the Linux Kernel, the vulnerability should be mitigated.
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Conclusion
The iwlwifi module in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to a possible NULL dereference, which can lead to system crashes or other unexpected behavior. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.14.12 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The iwlwifi module is a Linux kernel module that provides support for Intel Wireless WiFi Link Adapters. It allows users to connect to wireless networks and enables features such as wireless security protocols.
A NULL dereference occurs when a program attempts to access a memory location that is NULL (invalid). This can lead to a crash or other unexpected behavior.
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need local access to the affected system and the ability to execute malicious code. They could potentially cause a denial-of-service (DoS) attack or execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges.
There is no evidence to suggest that this vulnerability has been exploited in real-world scenarios. However, it is still considered a potential security risk.
To protect your system, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.14.12 or later. This update includes the necessary patches to address the vulnerability.
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