Data Race Vulnerability in af_packet
Summary
GSD-2022-1000647: af_packet: fix data-race in packet_setsockopt / packet_setsockopt. Affects Kernel versions >= 47dceb8ecdc1c3ad1818dfea3d659a05b74c3fc2, < c074e2c8d67af5f0b1fb953d4ff960a8dc854eab. 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
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
The af_packet package is a part of the Linux Kernel ecosystem. It provides a socket interface for packet capture and injection. This package is responsible for handling network packets at the kernel level. The vulnerability in af_packet affects the packet_setsockopt and packet_setsockopt functions, leading to a data race condition. A data race occurs when multiple threads access shared data concurrently without proper synchronization, potentially causing unexpected behavior or crashes.
Vulnerability Detail
The data race vulnerability in af_packet arises due to a lack of proper synchronization in the packet_setsockopt and packet_setsockopt functions. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to manipulate shared data, leading to potential security breaches or system instability. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet. The vulnerability was introduced in Linux Kernel version 4.3 by commit 47dceb8ecdc1c3ad1818dfea3d659a05b74c3fc2 and has been fixed in version 5.16.6 by commit c074e2c8d67af5f0b1fb953d4ff960a8dc854eab.
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 af_packet module by blacklisting it. This can be done by adding the following line to the /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf file:
blacklist af_packet
After adding this line, the module will not be loaded during system startup, effectively mitigating the vulnerability.
Conclusion
The data race vulnerability in af_packet can be fixed by updating the Linux Kernel to version 5.16.6 or later. Users can also apply a workaround by blacklisting the af_packet module. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
af_packet is a package in the Linux Kernel ecosystem that provides a socket interface for packet capture and injection at the kernel level.
A data race vulnerability occurs when multiple threads access shared data concurrently without proper synchronization, potentially leading to unexpected behavior or crashes.
The impact of this vulnerability is not yet proven. However, it could potentially lead to security breaches or system instability.
To fix this vulnerability, update the Linux Kernel to version 5.16.6 or later.
Yes, a workaround is available. Users can disable the af_packet module by blacklisting it.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
