Refusal to Enable an Unbound Pipe in phonet/pep
Summary
GSD-2021-1002816: phonet/pep: refuse to enable an unbound pipe. Affects Kernel versions < 52ad5da8e316fa11e3a50b3f089aa63e4089bf52. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The phonet/pep package is a component of the Linux Kernel, which is responsible for handling the Phonet protocol and its extensions. Phonet is a network protocol used for communication between devices in embedded systems. The phonet/pep module provides the necessary functionality for enabling and managing pipes, which are communication channels between different processes. These pipes are used for data transfer and synchronization.
However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the phonet/pep module, where it allows the enabling of an unbound pipe. This means that a pipe can be created without specifying its bounds or limits, potentially leading to resource exhaustion or other security issues.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the phonet/pep module allows the creation of unbound pipes. This means that a pipe can be enabled without specifying its bounds or limits. Without proper bounds, the pipe can consume excessive resources, leading to resource exhaustion and potential denial-of-service attacks. Additionally, the lack of bounds can also result in data leakage or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.10.89 by commit 52ad5da8e316fa11e3a50b3f089aa63e4089bf52.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
A possible workaround for this vulnerability is to disable the phonet/pep module. This can be done by modifying the kernel configuration and excluding the module from the build. However, this workaround may impact the functionality of other components or applications that rely on the phonet/pep module.
Here is an example of how to disable the phonet/pep module in the kernel configuration:
- Open the kernel configuration file (usually located at /usr/src/linux/.config).
- Search for the configuration option related to the phonet/pep module (e.g., CONFIG_PHONET_PEP).
- Set the value of the configuration option to 'n' or comment out the line.
- Save the changes and rebuild the kernel.
- Install the updated kernel and reboot the system.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in the phonet/pep module that allows the enabling of an unbound pipe can have serious consequences, including resource exhaustion, denial-of-service attacks, and potential data leakage. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.89 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Alternatively, disabling the phonet/pep module or applying a patch can serve as temporary workarounds. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The phonet/pep package is a component of the Linux Kernel that handles the Phonet protocol and its extensions. It provides functionality for enabling and managing pipes, which are communication channels between processes.
An unbound pipe is a pipe that is created without specifying its bounds or limits. This means that the pipe can consume excessive resources and may lead to resource exhaustion or other security issues.
Enabling an unbound pipe can result in resource exhaustion, leading to denial-of-service attacks. It can also lead to data leakage or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
To fix this vulnerability, update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.89 or later. Alternatively, disable the phonet/pep module or apply a patch that addresses the specific vulnerability.
Yes, a possible workaround is to disable the phonet/pep module. However, this may impact the functionality of other components or applications that rely on the module.
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