Kernel: Use After Free
CVE-2022-1679 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Kernel, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Kernel versions: Linux kernel 5.18-rc7. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.81% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 58% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem to V1.1 or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 4.14.291 or 4.19.256 or 5.4.211 or 5.10.137, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kernel | Kernel | Linux kernel 5.18-rc7 | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem | before V1.1 | V1.1 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 2.6.35 up to, but not including, 4.14.291; 4.15 up to, but not including, 4.19.256; 4.20 up to, but not including, 5.4.211; 5.5 up to, but not including, 5.10.137; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.61; 5.16 up to, but not including, 5.18.18; 5.19 up to, but not including, 5.19.2 | 4.14.291, 4.19.256, 5.4.211, 5.10.137, 5.15.61, 5.18.18 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 10.0 | Not stated |
| NetApp | H410c Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| NetApp | H300s Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| NetApp | H500s Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| NetApp | H700s Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| NetApp | H300e Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| NetApp | H500e Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| NetApp | H700e Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| NetApp | H410s Firmware | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.2 | High | NVD |
Official description
A use-after-free flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s Atheros wireless adapter driver in the way a user forces the ath9k_htc_wait_for_target function to fail with some input messages. This flaw allows a local user to crash or potentially escalate their privileges on the system.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- lore.kernel.org/lkml/87ilqc7jv9.fsf%40kernel.org/t/Third Party Advisory
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/10/msg00000.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/11/msg00001.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220629-0007/Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Kernel
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.3 High severity
- 9.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.3 High severity
- 9.3 High severity
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