ALSA: pcm: oss: Fix negative period/buffer sizes in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1002459: ALSA: pcm: oss: Fix negative period/buffer sizes. Affects Kernel versions < f12c8a7515f641885677960af450082569a87243. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Kernel is a fundamental component of the Linux operating system that provides core functionalities and interfaces between hardware and software. It manages system resources, including memory, processes, and device drivers. The Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) is a software framework that provides audio and MIDI functionality for Linux. The ALSA PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) subsystem handles audio data streaming. The OSS (Open Sound System) compatibility layer within the PCM subsystem allows applications that use the legacy OSS API to work with ALSA. However, a vulnerability has been identified in the ALSA PCM OSS component that could lead to negative period/buffer sizes.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the ALSA PCM OSS component allows for negative period/buffer sizes. This issue could potentially lead to memory corruption or other unexpected behavior, which may be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition. The vulnerability arises from a programming error that fails to handle negative values correctly. By providing specially crafted input, an attacker could trigger this vulnerability and potentially gain control over the affected system. It is important to note that the impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not yet been proven.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
No known workarounds are available for this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The ALSA PCM OSS vulnerability, which allows for negative period/buffer sizes, has been identified and fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.4.165. Users are strongly advised to update their Kernel to the latest version to mitigate the risk of potential exploitation. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The impact of this vulnerability could potentially lead to memory corruption or other unexpected behavior, which may be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition.
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.
At the time of this report, there are no known exploits for this vulnerability. However, it is important to promptly update the Kernel to the latest version to mitigate the risk.
Yes, the vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.4.165 by commit f12c8a7515f641885677960af450082569a87243. Users are advised to update their Kernel to the latest version available.
For more details about this vulnerability, you can refer to the official Linux Kernel security advisories or the source link provided in the vulnerability details section.
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