In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been resolved that affects the hwmon driver, specifically when handling SCSI errors. This vulnerability allows the hwmon driver to incorrectly report uninitialized data to userspace due to improper handling of error codes returned by the scsi_execute_cmd() function.
The severity of this vulnerability is rated as medium, with a CVSS score of 5.5. This classification is significant because it indicates that while the immediate risk may not be critical, there is a potential for data exposure, particularly in environments where SCSI errors may occur, such as when a disk drive is disconnected.
With the publication date of January 21, 2025, organizations are urged to prioritize patching to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. The patch addresses the issue by checking the output of the scsi_execute_cmd() function and returning a proper error code when necessary.
Currently, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerability (KEV) catalog. However, the potential for exploitation remains if unpatched systems are exposed to environments where SCSI errors are prevalent.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to prevent any potential data exposure resulting from uninitialized data reported by the hwmon driver.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in question allows the hwmon driver to produce garbage data when SCSI errors occur. The scsi_execute_cmd() function can return both negative (Linux codes) and positive (scsi_cmnd result field) error codes. The current implementation incorrectly passes these error codes to the hwmon core, which only checks for negative error codes. This results in hwmon potentially reporting uninitialized data to the userspace.
The CVSS score of 5.5 indicates a medium severity level, with an availability impact classified as high. This reflects that while there may be no confidentiality or integrity impact, the availability of the system may be compromised under certain conditions.
The affected product is the Linux kernel, specifically versions between 5.6 and 6.12.9, as well as certain release candidates of version 6.13.
The vulnerability was officially published on January 21, 2025. While no specific CWE classification is provided, the root cause relates to improper error handling in the hwmon driver.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect handling of error codes returned by the scsi_execute_cmd() function. The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning that an attacker would need local access to exploit it. The attack complexity is rated as low, as it requires minimal effort to trigger the vulnerability.
Privileges required to exploit this vulnerability are low, as the attacker does not need elevated privileges to trigger the issue. Furthermore, user interaction is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The impact on confidentiality and integrity is classified as none; however, the availability impact is high because it can lead to the hwmon driver reporting uninitialized data to userspace, potentially causing application crashes or other stability issues.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is significant in environments that rely on SCSI devices, such as in disk storage systems. If SCSI errors occur and the hwmon driver reports uninitialized data, it could lead to application failures, data corruption, or other unexpected behaviors.
Given the medium severity rating, organizations should assess the potential impact on their operations and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is medium, as it does not present an immediate critical threat but could lead to significant issues if left unpatched.
The blast radius potential is limited to systems utilizing the affected versions of the Linux kernel. Organizations using older versions or those that have implemented patches are unlikely to be affected.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects all versions of the Linux kernel from 5.6 up to but not including 6.6.72, as well as versions starting from 6.7 up to but not including 6.12.10. Additionally, specific release candidates of version 6.13 (rc1 to rc6) are also affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the patch provided in the official Linux kernel advisories to address this vulnerability. It is crucial to upgrade to a version of the kernel that implements the fix for this issue. For those unable to patch immediately, implementing strict access controls and monitoring for anomalous behavior related to SCSI operations is advisable.
For ongoing protection, organizations may consider adopting a continuous security testing program to identify similar vulnerabilities proactively.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor log files for indications of SCSI errors and check for any unusual behavior from the hwmon driver. Behavioral anomalies that may indicate misuse or malfunction of the driver should be flagged for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its representation of the importance of robust error handling in system drivers. Organizations should take this opportunity to reflect on their own error handling practices and ensure that they are equipped to manage unexpected situations effectively.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive testing during the development cycle, particularly in systems where hardware interaction is prevalent. Security teams must ensure that drivers are resilient against errors that could lead to system instability.
For organizations looking to enhance their security posture, adopting a penetration testing approach can provide valuable insights into potential weaknesses in their systems.
Furthermore, implementing a comprehensive application security assessment strategy can help identify configuration issues and vulnerabilities that may not be evident through standard testing.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)