UAF Issue in psi Trigger in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2022-1000187: psi: Fix uaf issue when psi trigger is destroyed while being polled. Affects Kernel versions >= 0e94682b73bfa6c44c98af7a26771c9c08c055d5, < d4e4e61d4a5b87bfc9953c306a11d35d869417fd. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing an interface for applications to interact with the hardware. The psi trigger is a feature in the Linux Kernel that allows monitoring of system pressure metrics. It provides information about CPU, memory, and IO pressure, helping applications make informed decisions. However, a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability has been discovered in the psi trigger when it is destroyed while being polled.
Vulnerability Detail
The UAF vulnerability in the psi trigger occurs when the trigger is destroyed while being polled. This can lead to a situation where the trigger is accessed after it has been freed, potentially resulting in a crash or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.2 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.10.97. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.
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. It is recommended to apply the fix by updating the Linux Kernel to the latest version.
Conclusion
The UAF issue in the psi trigger of the Linux Kernel can lead to potential crashes or arbitrary code execution. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.97 or later to fix this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The psi trigger is a feature in the Linux Kernel that allows monitoring of system pressure metrics, providing information about CPU, memory, and IO pressure.
A use-after-free vulnerability occurs when a program accesses memory that has already been freed. In this case, the psi trigger can be accessed after it has been freed, potentially leading to a crash or arbitrary code execution.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your Linux Kernel version is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file to the playground, and it will alert you if your application is affected.
No, the impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet. However, it is still recommended to apply the fix as a precautionary measure.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the GSD-2022-1000187 entry of the GSD database maintained by the Cloud Security Alliance. The link to the entry is available in the references section.
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