Vulnerability in Kernel: staging: vchiq_arm: Avoid NULL ptr deref in vchiq_dump_platform_instances
Summary
GSD-2022-1001380: staging: vchiq_arm: Avoid NULL ptr deref in vchiq_dump_platform_instances. Affects Kernel versions < 4627250cabaa80278d3ab01ad107893cea83799f. 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 acts as an interface between hardware and software. It is responsible for managing system resources, facilitating communication between different components, and ensuring the security and stability of the system. The vchiq_arm module in the staging directory of the Kernel is used for communication with VideoCore hardware on Raspberry Pi devices. This module is susceptible to a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the vchiq_dump_platform_instances function.
Vulnerability Detail
The vchiq_dump_platform_instances function in the vchiq_arm module of the Kernel can lead to a NULL pointer dereference. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial-of-service condition or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The vulnerability arises when the function is called with a NULL pointer as an argument, leading to a crash or other unintended behavior. This issue has been addressed in the Linux Kernel version v5.16.20 by commit 4627250cabaa80278d3ab01ad107893cea83799f.
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 avoid the exploitation of this vulnerability by ensuring that the vchiq_dump_platform_instances function is not called with a NULL pointer as an argument. This can be achieved by implementing proper input validation and error handling in the code that interacts with the vchiq_arm module. Here is an example of how to perform the validation in C code:
if (ptr != NULL) {
vchiq_dump_platform_instances(ptr);
}
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Kernel's vchiq_arm module is vulnerable to a NULL pointer dereference issue in the vchiq_dump_platform_instances function. This vulnerability can be exploited to cause a denial-of-service condition or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.16.20 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
This vulnerability can lead to a denial-of-service condition or potential execution of arbitrary code with kernel privileges. An attacker may be able to crash the system or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
You can use the Vulert Playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file and the Vulert Playground will analyze it for any known vulnerabilities, including this one.
At the time of this report, there are no known public exploits for this vulnerability. However, it is important to patch your system as soon as possible to mitigate the risk.
No, there is no CVE assigned to this vulnerability at the moment.
You can find more information about the fix for this vulnerability in the commit 4627250cabaa80278d3ab01ad107893cea83799f in the Linux Kernel repository.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
