Vulnerability in Kernel: io-wq: check for wq exit after adding new worker task_work
Summary
GSD-2021-1002767: io-wq: check for wq exit after adding new worker task_work. Affects Kernel versions < 4b4e5bbf9386d4ec21d91c0cb0fd60b9bba778ec. 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 is a crucial component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and facilitating communication between hardware and software. It provides essential functionalities such as process management, memory management, and device drivers. The vulnerability in question affects the Kernel's io-wq module, which is responsible for handling input/output workqueues. Workqueues are used to schedule and execute tasks asynchronously in the Kernel. This vulnerability specifically pertains to the handling of worker task_work in the io-wq module.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a lack of proper checks for workqueue (wq) exit after adding a new worker task_work. This oversight could potentially lead to various security issues, although the exact impact and attack plausibility have not been proven yet. The vulnerability has been assigned the ID GSD-2021-1002767. It is fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.15.11 by commit 4b4e5bbf9386d4ec21d91c0cb0fd60b9bba778ec.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, it is advised to exercise caution when handling worker task_work in the io-wq module. Developers can manually implement additional checks for wq exit after adding a new worker task_work to mitigate the potential security risks. Here is an example of how such a check can be implemented in C code:
if (wq_exited()) {
// Handle wq exit
}
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability in the Kernel's io-wq module, which involves the lack of proper checks for wq exit after adding a new worker task_work, has the potential to introduce security risks. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.11 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The exact impact of this vulnerability is yet to be proven. However, it has the potential to lead to security issues in the affected Kernel version.
You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert 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.
Yes, a patch is available in Linux Kernel version v5.15.11. It is recommended to update to this version or later to fix the vulnerability.
No known exploits for this vulnerability have been reported at this time. However, it is important to apply the patch or update to the fixed version to mitigate any potential risks.
You can find more information about this vulnerability, including the fix commit and the vulnerability ID, in the Cloud Security Alliance's GSD database. The specific entry for this vulnerability can be found at: https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2021/1002xxx/GSD-2021-1002767.json
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
