watch_queue: Free the page array when watch_queue is dismantled
Summary
GSD-2022-1001755: watch_queue: Free the page array when watch_queue is dismantled. Affects Kernel versions >= c73be61cede5882f9605a852414db559c0ebedfd, < 4913daecd04addb41bc96a9175a885e1c19862a8. 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 package is a crucial component of the Linux operating system. It provides the core functionality and acts as an interface between the hardware and software layers. The watch_queue is a data structure used by the Kernel to monitor and track changes to specific pages in memory. It maintains an array of pages that are being watched for modifications. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the watch_queue implementation, which can lead to memory leaks and potential security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the watch_queue arises from a failure to properly free the page array when the watch_queue is dismantled. This can result in memory leaks, where allocated memory is not released, leading to potential resource exhaustion. An attacker may be able to exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.8 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.15.33.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.33 or later. This can be done by downloading the latest stable release from the official Linux Kernel repository (https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/) and following the installation instructions provided. It is important to ensure that the updated Kernel is compatible with the specific Linux distribution being used.
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 watch_queue functionality if it is not essential for their system. This can be done by modifying the Kernel configuration and recompiling it without the watch_queue feature. However, this workaround may not be feasible for all systems and may impact certain functionalities that rely on the watch_queue.
Conclusion
The watch_queue vulnerability in the Linux Kernel can lead to memory leaks and potential security risks. It is crucial to update the Kernel to version v5.15.33 or later to mitigate these risks. Users can also utilize tools like Vulert to check if their system is affected and receive real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to memory leaks and potential resource exhaustion. It may also allow an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
You can use tools like Vulert (https://vulert.com) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert uses a manifest file like package-lock.json to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in the software.
At the time of this report, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is important to apply the recommended fix or workaround to mitigate any potential risks.
No, the fix for this vulnerability requires updating the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.33 or later. It is recommended to follow the official update process provided by the Linux Kernel maintainers.
The recommended fix is to update the Linux Kernel to the latest version. However, if updating the Kernel is not feasible, disabling the watch_queue functionality can serve as a temporary workaround. It is important to assess the impact of disabling this feature on the system's functionality before implementing the workaround.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
Follow Vulert in Google
Get more Vulert vulnerability and dependency-security updates in Google Search and AI results.