Refcount Leaks in ax25 Package
Summary
GSD-2022-1001192: ax25: Fix refcount leaks caused by ax25_cb_del(). Affects Kernel versions >= d01ffb9eee4af165d83b08dd73ebdf9fe94a519b, < 534156dd4ed768e30a43de0036f45dca7c54818f. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The ax25 package is a component of the Linux Kernel that provides support for the AX.25 protocol, which is used for packet radio communication. This protocol is commonly used by amateur radio operators to establish connections and exchange data over radio frequencies. The ax25 package implements the necessary functionality to handle AX.25 frames, manage connections, and perform various network operations. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the ax25 package that can lead to refcount leaks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the ax25 package is caused by a refcount leak that occurs when ax25_cb_del() is called. This function is responsible for deleting an AX.25 control block, but it fails to properly handle reference counting. As a result, the reference count for the control block is not decremented correctly, leading to a leak of system resources. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to exhaust system resources and cause a denial-of-service condition. The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.17 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.17.2.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the fix by updating to the latest version of the Linux Kernel.
Conclusion
The ax25 package in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to refcount leaks, which can be exploited to exhaust system resources. Users should update their Linux Kernel to version v5.17.2 or later to fix this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The ax25 package is a component of the Linux Kernel that provides support for the AX.25 protocol used in packet radio communication.
A refcount leak occurs when the reference count for a resource is not properly decremented, leading to a leak of system resources.
This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to exhaust system resources and cause a denial-of-service condition.
To fix this vulnerability, update your Linux Kernel to version v5.17.2 or later.
No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. Updating to the latest version of the Linux Kernel is recommended.
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