Vulnerability in Kernel (Linux) - hwmon: (w83793) Fix NULL pointer dereference
Summary
GSD-2021-1001737: hwmon: (w83793) Fix NULL pointer dereference by removing unnecessary structure field. Affects Kernel versions < 746011193f44f97f8784edcf8327c587946745fc. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Kernel is a critical component of the Linux operating system that acts as a bridge between the hardware and software layers. It provides essential functionalities and services to enable the proper functioning of the system. One of the components within the Kernel is the hwmon subsystem, responsible for monitoring and controlling hardware sensors. The w83793 driver is part of this subsystem and is used for managing hardware monitoring on certain systems. However, a vulnerability has been identified in the w83793 driver that can lead to a NULL pointer dereference, potentially causing a system crash or other unexpected behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the w83793 driver is due to the presence of an unnecessary structure field that can result in a NULL pointer dereference. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to crash the system or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet. It is important to note that this vulnerability has been fixed in the Linux Kernel version v5.14.10 through the commit 746011193f44f97f8784edcf8327c587946745fc.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Conclusion
The vulnerability in the w83793 driver of the Linux Kernel can lead to a NULL pointer dereference, potentially resulting in a system crash or arbitrary code execution. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.14.10 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can potentially lead to a system crash or allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges.
You can use the Vulert Playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. It analyzes the package-lock.json file and provides real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
No specific workaround has been provided for this vulnerability. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to the fixed version.
At the time of this report, no known exploits for this vulnerability have been identified.
More information about the fix can be found in the commit 746011193f44f97f8784edcf8327c587946745fc in the official Linux Kernel repository.
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