Vulnerability in Kernel: perf bpf - Defer freeing string after possible strlen() on it
Summary
GSD-2022-1000402: perf bpf: Defer freeing string after possible strlen() on it. Affects Kernel versions >= 04f9bf2bac72480ca1d289b751b956dd1707a5d5, < d3018a19622115e1126f6abb3657c65877a99410. 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 critical component of the Linux operating system that provides core functionalities and interfaces with hardware devices. It manages system resources, facilitates communication between software and hardware, and ensures the stability and security of the system. The perf bpf feature in the Kernel allows users to collect performance-related data using Berkeley Packet Filter (BPF) programs. These programs can be used to analyze and trace system events, providing valuable insights into system performance. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the perf bpf feature that could potentially lead to security issues.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the perf bpf feature arises from a failure to properly handle memory allocation and deallocation. Specifically, when freeing a string, the code does not ensure that the string is not being used by other functions, potentially leading to a use-after-free scenario. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious BPF program that triggers the use-after-free condition, allowing them to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet, but it is crucial to address it to maintain the security of the system.
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 perf bpf feature if it is not essential for their system. This can be done by removing or blacklisting the relevant kernel module. However, disabling this feature may impact the ability to collect performance-related data using BPF programs.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in the perf bpf feature of the Kernel poses a potential security risk. It is crucial to update the Kernel to the latest stable version to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The Kernel is a critical component of the Linux operating system that provides core functionalities and interfaces with hardware devices.
The perf bpf feature in the Kernel allows users to collect performance-related data using Berkeley Packet Filter (BPF) programs.
A use-after-free vulnerability occurs when a program continues to use a memory region after it has been freed, leading to potential security issues.
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious BPF program that triggers the use-after-free condition, allowing them to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.102 or later.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
