#VU62485 Out-of-bounds write in Linux kernel - CVE-2021-43975

Vulnerability identifier: #VU62485

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-43975

CWE-ID: CWE-787

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the hw_atl_utils_fw_rpc_wait() function in drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/hw_atl/hw_atl_utils.c in Linux kernel. A local user can attach a specially crafted device to the system, trigger an out-of-bounds write and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: before 5.15.3, 5.15.3

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External links
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/netdev/net.git/commit/?id=b922f622592af76b57cbc566eaeccda0b31a3496
https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/163698540868.13805.17800408021782408762.git-patchwork-notify@kernel.org/T/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/X24M7KDC4OJOZNS3RDSYC7ELNELOLQ2N/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YODMYMGZYDXQKGJGX7TJG4XV4L5YLLBD/
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211210-0001/
https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5096
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/03/msg00012.html

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. The attacker should have physical access to the system in order to successfully exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.