selinux: Fix NULL-pointer Dereference in hashtab Allocation Failure
Summary
GSD-2021-1002303: selinux: fix NULL-pointer dereference when hashtab allocation fails. Affects Kernel versions >= 03414a49ad5f3c56988c36d2070e402ffa17feaf, < 83c8ab8503adf56bf68dafc7a382f4946c87da79. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The selinux package is a security module in the Linux kernel that provides access control and mandatory access control (MAC) security policies. It enforces security policies based on labels attached to processes, files, and network connections. The hashtab data structure is used by selinux for efficient storage and retrieval of security contexts. However, a vulnerability exists in the hashtab allocation process, leading to a NULL-pointer dereference.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability occurs when the hashtab allocation fails, resulting in a NULL-pointer dereference. This can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as insufficient memory or other resource constraints. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The selinux package in the Linux kernel is vulnerable to a NULL-pointer dereference when the hashtab allocation fails. This vulnerability can potentially lead to a denial-of-service condition or arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. It is recommended to update the kernel to version v5.15.5 or later to fix this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
Selinux is a security module in the Linux kernel that provides access control and mandatory access control (MAC) security policies.
A NULL-pointer dereference occurs when a program attempts to access or manipulate memory using a pointer that points to NULL (a memory address with no assigned value). This can lead to crashes or other unexpected behavior.
The impact of this vulnerability could range from a denial-of-service (DoS) condition to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. However, the actual impact and attack plausibility have not been proven.
To fix this vulnerability, update the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.5 or later. This fix is implemented in commit 83c8ab8503adf56bf68dafc7a382f4946c87da79.
No specific workaround has been mentioned for this vulnerability.
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