CVE-2023-53480
Description
From CVE.org
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: kobject: Add sanity check for kset->kobj.ktype in kset_register() When I register a kset in the following way: static struct kset my_kset; kobject_set_name(&my_kset.kobj, "my_kset"); ret = kset_register(&my_kset); A null pointer dereference exception is occurred: [ 4453.568337] Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at \ virtual address 0000000000000028 ... ... [ 4453.810361] Call trace: [ 4453.813062] kobject_get_ownership+0xc/0x34 [ 4453.817493] kobject_add_internal+0x98/0x274 [ 4453.822005] kset_register+0x5c/0xb4 [ 4453.825820] my_kobj_init+0x44/0x1000 [my_kset] ... ... Because I didn't initialize my_kset.kobj.ktype. According to the description in Documentation/core-api/kobject.rst: - A ktype is the type of object that embeds a kobject. Every structure that embeds a kobject needs a corresponding ktype. So add sanity check to make sure kset->kobj.ktype is not NULL.
Statement
Registering a kset without initializing kobj.ktype caused a NULL pointer dereference in kobject_get_ownership(), leading to kernel panic during module registration. The patch adds a sanity check in kset_register() to reject uninitialized objects. Impact is local denial of service. Loading a kernel module requires root privileges or the CAP_SYS_MODULE capability, making this issue only reachable by privileged code.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 5.5 | 5.5 | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | N/A |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | None | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | N/A |
| Confidentiality | None | None | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | High | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
