netfilter: nf_tables: fix null deref due to zeroed list head

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

17/09/2022

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

GSD-2022-1005909: netfilter: nf_tables: fix null deref due to zeroed list head. Affects Kernel versions >= 55dd6f93076bb82aa8911191125418dcfcbf2c9b, < 80977126bc20309f7f7bae6d8621356b393e8b41. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The vulnerability affects the Kernel package in the Linux ecosystem. The Kernel is the core component of the operating system that manages system resources and provides an interface for software to interact with the hardware. It includes various subsystems, such as netfilter, which is responsible for packet filtering and network address translation. The nf_tables module within netfilter allows users to define firewall rules and perform network filtering. However, a null dereference vulnerability exists in nf_tables due to a zeroed list head. This vulnerability can potentially be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial-of-service condition or execute arbitrary code.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability arises from a null dereference caused by a zeroed list head in the nf_tables module of the Kernel. When certain operations are performed on nf_tables, such as adding or deleting rules, the code may encounter a null pointer dereference due to the zeroed list head. This can lead to a crash or allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the Kernel. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet, but it is considered a security risk. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.16 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.10.137.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

To fix the vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.137 or later. This update includes the commit 80977126bc20309f7f7bae6d8621356b393e8b41, which addresses the null deref issue. Users can obtain the updated Kernel from the official Linux Kernel repository at https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/. It is important to follow the appropriate procedures for updating the Kernel based on the specific Linux distribution being used.

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Workaround

There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the netfilter nf_tables vulnerability in the Linux Kernel can lead to a null dereference due to a zeroed list head. This can result in a denial-of-service condition or the execution of arbitrary code. It is recommended to update the Kernel to version v5.10.137 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.

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You can find more information about this vulnerability in the GSD-2022-1005909 entry of the GSD database maintained by the Cloud Security Alliance. The source link is available at https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2022/1005xxx/GSD-2022-1005909.json.