NULL page->mapping dereference in mm/secretmem
Summary
GSD-2021-1001880: mm/secretmem: fix NULL page->mapping dereference in page_is_secretmem(). Affects Kernel versions >= 1507f51255c9ff07d75909a84e7c0d7f3c4b2f49, < b77ba1e02345bafd703f0d407bdbd88c3be1f767. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux Kernel is a widely used open-source operating system that serves as the foundation for various Linux distributions. It provides essential functionality and manages system resources. One of its components is the mm/secretmem module, which is responsible for handling secret memory pages. Secret memory pages are used to store sensitive data that should not be paged out to disk. These pages are typically used by security-sensitive applications or modules. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the mm/secretmem module that can lead to a NULL page->mapping dereference.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the mm/secretmem module arises from a NULL page->mapping dereference in the page_is_secretmem() function. This function is used to determine if a given page is a secret memory page. However, due to a coding error, it does not properly handle the case where the page->mapping pointer is NULL. This can result in a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a kernel crash or potential privilege escalation. An attacker with local access to the system may be able to exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges or disrupt the system's stability.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is necessary to apply the provided fix by updating the Linux Kernel to a version that includes the patch.
Conclusion
The NULL page->mapping dereference vulnerability in the mm/secretmem module of the Linux Kernel can potentially lead to a kernel crash or privilege escalation. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.14.15 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. No known workarounds exist, and it is recommended to apply the provided fix as soon as possible. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to a NULL pointer dereference, resulting in a kernel crash or potential privilege escalation. An attacker with local access to the system may be able to exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges or disrupt the system's stability.
You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file, and Vulert will analyze it for any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.
No, this vulnerability requires local access to the system to be exploited.
There are no known instances of this vulnerability being exploited in the wild at this time.
The vulnerability was discovered by an automated security analysis tool.
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