Use After Free Vulnerability in rtl8192e Driver
Summary
GSD-2021-1002433: staging: rtl8192e: Fix use after free in _rtl92e_pci_disconnect(). Affects Kernel versions >= 66898177e7e5486dc77a4ba742efa4e2e9e900a4, < 2e1ec01af2c7139c6a600bbfaea1a018b35094b6. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The rtl8192e driver is part of the Linux Kernel, which is responsible for managing the communication between the operating system and the Realtek RTL8192E wireless network adapter. This driver enables the functionality of the RTL8192E adapter, allowing users to connect to wireless networks and access the internet. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the driver that could lead to a use after free condition.
Vulnerability Detail
The use after free vulnerability in the _rtl92e_pci_disconnect() function of the rtl8192e driver allows an attacker to exploit a freed memory region. This can result in a variety of consequences, including crashes, privilege escalation, or remote code execution. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.2 of the Linux Kernel and was fixed in version v5.4.163 by commit 2e1ec01af2c7139c6a600bbfaea1a018b35094b6.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
If updating the Linux Kernel is not immediately feasible, users can mitigate the risk by disabling the affected driver. This can be done by blacklisting the rtl8192e module. To blacklist the module, add the following line to the /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf file:
blacklist rtl8192e
After adding the line, reboot the system for the changes to take effect. Keep in mind that this workaround may disable the functionality of the Realtek RTL8192E wireless network adapter.
Conclusion
The use after free vulnerability in the rtl8192e driver poses a significant risk to systems using the affected driver. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.4.163 or later to fix this vulnerability. If immediate updating is not possible, users can mitigate the risk by disabling the rtl8192e driver. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The use after free vulnerability in the rtl8192e driver can lead to crashes, privilege escalation, or remote code execution. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to a system or execute arbitrary code.
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 to the playground, and it will analyze the dependencies and alert you if any known vulnerabilities are present.
Yes, the vulnerability has been fixed in version v5.4.163 of the Linux Kernel. It is recommended to update to this version or a later one to mitigate the risk.
Yes, you can disable the rtl8192e driver by blacklisting the module. Add the 'blacklist rtl8192e' line to the /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf file and reboot the system.
While the Realtek RTL8192E wireless network adapter is specifically affected by this vulnerability, it is always recommended to keep all software and drivers up to date to ensure the best security posture. Consider using wireless network adapters from other manufacturers and regularly check for updates and security patches.
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