Null Pointer Dereferences in of_thermal_ Functions in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1002302: thermal: Fix NULL pointer dereferences in of_thermal_ functions. Affects Kernel versions < 6a315471cb6a07f651e1d3adc8962730f4fcccac. 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 Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing an interface for software to interact with the hardware. The thermal subsystem in the Linux Kernel handles thermal management, ensuring that the system temperature remains within safe limits. The 'of_thermal_' functions in the thermal subsystem are used for handling thermal-related operations based on device tree information. However, a vulnerability has been identified in these functions that can lead to NULL pointer dereferences.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the 'of_thermal_' functions of the Linux Kernel allows an attacker to trigger NULL pointer dereferences. This can occur when processing device tree information related to thermal management. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could cause a denial-of-service condition or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.
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 keeping their Linux Kernel up to date with the latest security patches.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in the 'of_thermal_' functions of the Linux Kernel can lead to NULL pointer dereferences, potentially resulting in a denial-of-service condition or arbitrary code execution. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.81 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing an interface for software to interact with the hardware.
The thermal subsystem in the Linux Kernel handles thermal management, ensuring that the system temperature remains within safe limits.
The 'of_thermal_' functions in the thermal subsystem are used for handling thermal-related operations based on device tree information.
A NULL pointer dereference occurs when a program attempts to access or manipulate memory using a pointer that points to NULL (a memory address that does not exist). This can lead to crashes or potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
To fix the vulnerability, users should update their Linux Kernel to version v5.10.81 or later.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
