Race Condition Vulnerability in IB/rdmavt Package
Summary
GSD-2022-1002180: IB/rdmavt: add lock to call to rvt_error_qp to prevent a race condition. Affects Kernel versions >= d757c60eca9b22f4d108929a24401e0fdecda0b1, < 8a50937227c385a477177c9ffa122b4230e40666. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The IB/rdmavt package is a component of the Linux Kernel ecosystem. It provides support for InfiniBand (IB) and RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) devices. This package enables efficient communication between nodes in high-performance computing clusters. The vulnerability in question arises due to a missing lock in a call to rvt_error_qp, which can lead to a race condition.
Vulnerability Detail
The race condition vulnerability in the IB/rdmavt package occurs when multiple threads or processes concurrently access the rvt_error_qp function without proper synchronization. This can result in unexpected behavior, such as memory corruption, crashes, or unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers may exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges or disrupt the normal operation of the system. The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.1 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.4.189.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
If updating the Linux Kernel is not immediately feasible, a possible workaround is to implement proper synchronization mechanisms in the code that calls the rvt_error_qp function. This can involve using locks or other synchronization primitives to ensure that only one thread or process accesses the function at a time. Here is an example of how a lock can be added to prevent the race condition:
// Include necessary headers
#include <linux/mutex.h>
// Define a mutex lock
static DEFINE_MUTEX(rvt_error_qp_lock);
// Acquire the lock before calling rvt_error_qp
mutex_lock(&rvt_error_qp_lock);
// Call rvt_error_qp
rvt_error_qp(...);
// Release the lock after the call
mutex_unlock(&rvt_error_qp_lock);
Conclusion
In conclusion, the race condition vulnerability in the IB/rdmavt package of the Linux Kernel can have serious security and stability implications. It is crucial to update to version v5.4.189 or later of the Linux Kernel to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate updating is not possible, implementing proper synchronization mechanisms in the code can serve as a temporary workaround. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The race condition vulnerability in the IB/rdmavt package can lead to various security and stability issues, including memory corruption, crashes, unauthorized access to data, and potential privilege escalation.
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 to the playground, and it will analyze and alert you in real-time if the vulnerability is present.
Yes, the vulnerability has been fixed in version v5.4.189 of the Linux Kernel. It is recommended to update to this version or a later one to mitigate the vulnerability.
Yes, a temporary workaround is to implement proper synchronization mechanisms in the code that calls the rvt_error_qp function. This involves using locks or other synchronization primitives to ensure only one thread or process accesses the function at a time.
You can find more information about this vulnerability, including the specific commits that introduced and fixed it, in the GSD-2022-1002180.json file available in the GSD Database (https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database).
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