Out-of-bounds Access in RX Fixup in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2022-1000378: net: usb: ax88179_178a: Fix out-of-bounds accesses in RX fixup. Affects Kernel versions >= e2ca90c276e1fc410d7cd3c1a4eee245ec902a20, < 758290defe93a865a2880d10c5d5abd288b64b5d. 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 that provides core functionalities and interfaces with hardware devices. It acts as a bridge between the hardware and software layers, facilitating communication and resource management. The vulnerability in focus affects the Kernel's USB driver for the AX88179_178A Ethernet adapter. This driver enables the adapter to connect to the system via USB and provides network connectivity. However, due to a coding error, the driver is susceptible to out-of-bounds accesses in the RX fixup process.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from out-of-bounds accesses in the RX fixup function of the AX88179_178A USB Ethernet driver. When processing received network packets, the driver fails to properly validate the packet size, leading to potential memory corruption and unauthorized access to sensitive information. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted network packets, triggering the out-of-bounds accesses and potentially executing arbitrary code or causing a denial of service. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.
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 workaround, users can disable the AX88179_178A USB Ethernet driver if it is not essential for their system's functionality. This can be achieved by blacklisting the driver module or removing it from the Kernel configuration. However, this workaround should only be considered if the adapter is not in use, as it will result in the loss of network connectivity provided by the adapter.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in the AX88179_178A USB Ethernet driver of the Linux Kernel exposes systems to potential memory corruption and unauthorized access. It is crucial to update the Kernel to version v5.10.101 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Alternatively, users can disable the driver if it is not essential for their system's functionality. Regularly updating the Kernel and applying security patches is essential to ensure the system's security and stability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The impact of this vulnerability could potentially lead to memory corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive information, arbitrary code execution, or denial of service. However, the actual impact and attack plausibility have not been proven yet.
You can utilize Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner 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, without requiring access to the code or installation.
While updating the Kernel is the recommended solution, you can mitigate the vulnerability by disabling the AX88179_178A USB Ethernet driver if it is not essential for your system. However, this workaround should only be considered if the adapter is not in use, as it will result in the loss of network connectivity provided by the adapter.
As of now, there are no known exploits for this vulnerability. However, it is crucial to apply the recommended updates and security patches to mitigate potential risks.
You can find more information about this vulnerability, including technical details and the fix, in the Linux Kernel's official repository at https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
