Use After Free Vulnerability in rtl8192e Driver in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1002467: staging: rtl8192e: Fix use after free in _rtl92e_pci_disconnect(). Affects Kernel versions >= 66898177e7e5486dc77a4ba742efa4e2e9e900a4, < 8d0163cec7de995f9eb9c3128c83fb84f0cb1c64. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The rtl8192e driver is a component of the Linux Kernel that provides support for Realtek RTL8192E wireless network adapters. It is responsible for managing the communication between the operating system and the wireless hardware. The driver is included in the staging area of the kernel, indicating that it is still under development and may not be fully stable or feature-complete. The vulnerability identified in this driver is a use after free issue, which can lead to memory corruption and potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.
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 occur when the driver attempts to disconnect from a PCI device but fails to properly handle the deallocation of resources. By manipulating the system in a specific way, an attacker can trigger the use of the freed memory, leading to memory corruption and potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code or crash the system. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven, but it is important to address it to ensure the security and stability of the system.
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. However, users can consider disabling or removing the affected rtl8192e driver if it is not required for their system. This can be done by blacklisting the driver module or removing the corresponding kernel module file. It is important to note that removing or disabling the driver may result in the loss of wireless network functionality for devices that rely on the RTL8192E chipset.
Conclusion
The use after free vulnerability in the rtl8192e driver of the Linux Kernel can lead to memory corruption and potential code execution or system crashes. It is recommended to update the kernel to version v5.10.83 or later to address this vulnerability. Users can also consider disabling or removing the affected driver if it is not required for their system. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the attacker's capabilities and the specific system configuration. In the worst case, an attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or cause a denial of service by crashing the system.
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. You can visit the Vulert playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) without signing up to check if your application is affected.
Yes, a patch for this vulnerability is available in the Linux Kernel version v5.10.83. It is recommended to update the kernel to this version or a later version to address the vulnerability.
While updating the kernel is the recommended solution, you can consider disabling or removing the affected rtl8192e driver if it is not required for your system. However, this may result in the loss of wireless network functionality for devices that rely on the RTL8192E chipset.
There are no known exploits for this vulnerability at the time of this report. However, it is important to address the vulnerability promptly to mitigate any potential risks.
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