Vulnerability in Kernel package: proc/vmcore
Summary
GSD-2021-1002387: proc/vmcore: fix clearing user buffer by properly using clear_user(). Affects Kernel versions >= 997c136f518c5debd63847e78e2a8694f56dcf90, < 99d348b82bcb36171f24411d3f1a15706a2a937a. 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 package is a critical component of the Linux operating system. It provides essential functions and services to manage hardware resources, memory, and system processes. The proc/vmcore module specifically handles the generation and management of crash dump files. These files contain valuable information for debugging system crashes and analyzing system state after a crash. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the proc/vmcore module that could potentially lead to information leakage or unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the proc/vmcore module arises from improper usage of the clear_user() function, which is responsible for clearing user buffers. Due to this flaw, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability to access uninitialized or sensitive data stored in user buffers. This could lead to information disclosure or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.0 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v4.14.257 by commit 99d348b82bcb36171f24411d3f1a15706a2a937a.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel package to version v4.14.257 or later. This can be done by downloading the latest stable release from the official Linux Kernel repository (https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/) and following the installation instructions provided. Additionally, it is advisable to regularly update the Kernel package to ensure the latest security patches and fixes are applied.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can disable the generation of crash dump files by modifying the system configuration. This can be achieved by editing the kernel command line parameters and removing the 'crashkernel' option. However, this workaround should only be considered as a temporary measure until the Kernel package is updated to a fixed version.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability in the proc/vmcore module of the Kernel package could potentially lead to information disclosure or privilege escalation attacks. It is crucial to update the Kernel package to version v4.14.257 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Additionally, disabling the generation of crash dump files can serve as a temporary workaround. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The vulnerability in the proc/vmcore module could potentially allow an attacker to access uninitialized or sensitive data stored in user buffers. This could lead to information disclosure or privilege escalation attacks.
You can use the Vulert Playground (https://vulert.com/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.
At the time of this report, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is important to apply the recommended fixes and updates to mitigate any potential risks.
Yes, as a temporary workaround, you can disable the generation of crash dump files by modifying the system configuration. However, it is strongly advised to update the Kernel package to a fixed version as soon as possible.
For more detailed information about this vulnerability, including technical details and the fix commit, you can refer to the vulnerability database entry at: https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2021/1002xxx/GSD-2021-1002387.json
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
Follow Vulert in Google
Get more Vulert vulnerability and dependency-security updates in Google Search and AI results.