Uninitialized Value Use in gpsd Package Leading to Potential Crashes
Summary
OSV-2026-259: Use-of-uninitialized-value in tsip_parse_input. Affects gpsd versions >= 4d719d0f956444fa8cc00d988fbb9dda878614f4, < b0fffcf589011f79eca7c7319599909053050b5b. Fixed in b0fffcf589011f79eca7c7319599909053050b5b. How to fix ↓
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Background
The gpsd package is an open-source service daemon that monitors GPS devices and provides location data to clients. It is widely used in various applications that require GPS functionality. The package is designed to handle multiple GPS devices and offers features such as parsing GPS data and managing connections. However, it has been found to be vulnerable to a use-of-uninitialized-value issue, which can lead to crashes and unexpected behavior.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a use-of-uninitialized-value error in the tsip_parse_input function within the gpsd package. This issue was reported through OSS-Fuzz, indicating that the function does not properly initialize certain variables before use, which can lead to crashes during execution. The ramifications of this vulnerability include potential denial of service, as the application may crash unexpectedly when handling GPS data. This issue was introduced in commit 4d719d0f956444fa8cc00d988fbb9dda878614f4 and has been fixed in commit b0fffcf589011f79eca7c7319599909053050b5b.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
b0fffcf589011f79eca7c7319599909053050b5b
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid using the affected function tsip_parse_input until the package is updated. This may involve modifying the application code to bypass GPS data parsing or using a different method to handle GPS data.
Conclusion
The gpsd package has a vulnerability related to the use of uninitialized values, which can lead to application crashes. It is crucial for users to update to the patched version to ensure the stability and reliability of applications utilizing this package. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and manage vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The vulnerability is a use-of-uninitialized-value error that can cause crashes when the gpsd package processes GPS data.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By uploading your manifest file like package-lock.json, you can check for vulnerabilities in real-time.
Yes, the vulnerability has been fixed in the latest version of the gpsd package. Users should update to the patched version to mitigate the issue.
Failure to address this vulnerability may lead to application crashes and denial of service, impacting the functionality of applications relying on GPS data.
You can find more information about the gpsd package on its official GitLab repository or documentation pages.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for gpsd.
