USB Core Hang Vulnerability in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2022-1000251: USB: core: Fix hang in usb_kill_urb by adding memory barriers. Affects Kernel versions < 9340226388c66a7e090ebb00e91ed64a753b6c26. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux Kernel is a widely used open-source operating system kernel that serves as the foundation for various Linux distributions. It provides essential functionality for managing hardware resources, including USB devices. The USB core component is responsible for handling USB communication and device management. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the USB core that can lead to system hangs.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the USB core of the Linux Kernel can result in system hangs when attempting to kill a USB urb (USB Request Block). This issue arises due to the lack of proper memory barriers in the code. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious USB requests, causing the system to hang indefinitely. The impact of this vulnerability can range from denial of service to potential privilege escalation if the system remains unresponsive.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.19 or later. The fix for this issue was implemented in commit 9340226388c66a7e090ebb00e91ed64a753b6c26. Updating the kernel will ensure that the necessary memory barriers are in place to prevent system hangs when killing USB urbs.
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to apply the provided fix by updating the Linux Kernel to the recommended version.
Conclusion
The USB core hang vulnerability in the Linux Kernel can lead to system hangs and potential security risks. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.19 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system. It provides essential functionality for managing hardware resources and enabling various software components to interact with the underlying hardware.
A USB urb (USB Request Block) is a data structure used by the USB core to represent USB requests. It contains information about the requested operation, such as data transfer direction, endpoint, and buffer address.
Memory barriers are synchronization mechanisms used in multi-threaded or multi-processor systems to ensure proper ordering of memory operations. They prevent reordering of memory accesses and ensure that changes made by one thread or processor are visible to other threads or processors in the correct order.
The potential consequences of this vulnerability include system hangs, denial of service, and potential privilege escalation if the system remains unresponsive and allows an attacker to exploit other vulnerabilities.
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