NPD bug in sl_tx_timeout() in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2022-1001952: drivers: net: slip: fix NPD bug in sl_tx_timeout(). Affects Kernel versions < ca24c5e8f0ac3d43ec0cff29e1c861be73aff165. 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 Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing an interface for applications to interact with the hardware. The slip driver in the network subsystem is used for Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) connections, which allow data transmission over serial lines. The sl_tx_timeout() function in the slip driver is responsible for handling transmission timeouts. However, a null pointer dereference (NPD) bug exists in this function, which can lead to a system crash or other unpredictable behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The NPD bug in sl_tx_timeout() occurs when the function is called with a null pointer as an argument. This can happen if the slip driver is not properly initialized or if an error occurs during transmission. When the bug is triggered, the kernel attempts to dereference the null pointer, leading to a crash. An attacker may be able to exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven.
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
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the fix mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Conclusion
The NPD bug in sl_tx_timeout() in the Linux Kernel can lead to system crashes, DoS conditions, or potential code execution with kernel privileges. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to the latest version that includes the fix. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing an interface for applications to interact with the hardware.
The slip driver is a network subsystem driver in the Linux Kernel that is used for Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) connections, allowing data transmission over serial lines.
A null pointer dereference (NPD) bug occurs when a program attempts to dereference a null pointer, leading to a crash or other unpredictable behavior.
The possible impacts of this vulnerability include system crashes, denial-of-service (DoS) conditions, and potential execution of arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
To fix this vulnerability, users should update their Linux Kernel to the latest version that includes the fix. Detailed instructions can be found in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
