riscv, bpf: Fix potential NULL dereference in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1002131: riscv, bpf: Fix potential NULL dereference. Affects Kernel versions >= ca6cb5447ceca6a87d6b62c9e5d41042c34f7ffa, < e1b80a5ebe5431caeb20f88c32d4a024777a2d41. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Kernel is a fundamental component of the Linux operating system that provides core services and manages system resources. It acts as an interface between the hardware and software, allowing applications to communicate with the underlying hardware. The riscv and bpf subsystems are part of the Kernel and provide support for the RISC-V architecture and Berkeley Packet Filter respectively. These subsystems play a crucial role in the functioning of the operating system.
Vulnerability Detail
The identified vulnerability in the riscv and bpf subsystems of the Kernel is a potential NULL dereference issue. This vulnerability can occur when a program attempts to access or manipulate a memory location that is NULL (i.e., does not point to any valid memory address). If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to a system crash or potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.7 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.14.16.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. However, users can mitigate the risk by ensuring they have proper security measures in place, such as using a firewall, keeping their systems up to date with the latest security patches, and practicing safe browsing habits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the riscv, bpf subsystems in the Linux Kernel were found to have a potential NULL dereference vulnerability. This vulnerability could lead to a system crash or unauthorized code execution. It is recommended to update the Kernel to version v5.14.16 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to a system crash or potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
You can use tools like Vulert (https://vulert.com) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert uses a manifest file like package-lock.json to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in the software.
Yes, a patch for this vulnerability is available in version v5.14.16 of the Linux Kernel.
While there is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability, you can mitigate the risk by ensuring you have proper security measures in place, such as using a firewall, keeping your system up to date with the latest security patches, and practicing safe browsing habits.
You can refer to the vulnerability details in the Open Source Vulnerability format provided by the Cloud Security Alliance's GSD database. The details include the vulnerability ID, affected package, fix version, and references to the relevant commits in the Linux Kernel repository.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
