Deadlock in mm: vmscan in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2022-1000528: mm: vmscan: remove deadlock due to throttling failing to make progress. Affects Kernel versions >= d818fca1cac31b1fc9301bda83e195a46fb4ebaa, < 3980cff6349687f73d5109f156f23cb261c24164. 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 system resources, including memory management. The mm subsystem in the Linux Kernel is responsible for memory management operations, such as page allocation and deallocation. However, a vulnerability has been identified in the mm: vmscan component, which can lead to a deadlock situation when throttling fails to make progress.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in mm: vmscan arises due to a deadlock caused by throttling failing to make progress. When the system is under memory pressure, vmscan is responsible for reclaiming memory by scanning and evicting pages from the page cache. However, if throttling, which is used to limit the rate of scanning, fails to make progress, it can result in a deadlock situation. This deadlock can impact system performance and stability, potentially leading to denial-of-service scenarios. The vulnerability was introduced in Linux Kernel version 5.16 by commit d818fca1cac31b1fc9301bda83e195a46fb4ebaa and has been fixed in version 5.16.10 by commit 3980cff6349687f73d5109f156f23cb261c24164.
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 advised to apply the fix by updating the Linux Kernel to the recommended version.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the mm: vmscan deadlock vulnerability in the Linux Kernel can lead to performance and stability issues, potentially resulting in denial-of-service scenarios. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version 5.16.10 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to a deadlock situation in the mm: vmscan component of the Linux Kernel, impacting system performance and stability. It can potentially result in denial-of-service scenarios.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file, and Vulert will provide real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.
At the time of this report, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is important to apply the fix promptly to mitigate any potential risks.
While there is no specific workaround mentioned, it is recommended to prioritize updating the Linux Kernel to the fixed version as soon as possible. This will ensure the vulnerability is fully addressed.
You can refer to the official Linux Kernel repository (https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/) for more information about the fix. The vulnerability details can be found in the Cloud Security Alliance's GSD database (https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2022/1000xxx/GSD-2022-1000528.json).
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