Actively exploited vulnerability
Linux Kernel: improper access control flaw under attack
CVE-2013-6282 · Linux Kernel Improper Input Validation Vulnerability
What is affected
Linux Kernel is found on ordinary personal computers and phones, so this is not only a problem for companies. If you use it and have not updated since the fix was released, you are exposed.
The get_user and put_user API functions of the Linux kernel fail to validate the target address when being used on ARM v6k/v7 platforms. This allows an application to read and write kernel memory which could lead to privilege escalation.
What an attacker can do
This is a improper access control flaw. It lets an attacker perform actions or reach data that should be restricted to authorised users.
- How it is reached
- Over the internet or network
- Access the attacker needs
- A basic user account
- Does the victim have to do something?
- No, works without the victim doing anything
What to do
- Update Linux Kernel now. Open the update or "About" screen, install whatever is offered and restart the app or device, because the fix is not active until you do.
- Turn on automatic updates so the next fix arrives without you having to look for it.
- If your device is too old to receive this update, stop using the affected app for anything sensitive and plan a replacement.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Vendor advisories and fixes
- git.kernel.orggit.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=8404663f81d212918ff8
How urgent is it
CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on September 15, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of attacks in the wild. US federal agencies must fix it by October 6, 2022, a deadline that has already passed. That deadline does not bind anyone else, but it shows how seriously the agency rates it.
The EPSS model estimates a 40% probability that this flaw will be exploited somewhere in the next 30 days. That is higher than 99% of all scored vulnerabilities.
Its CVSS severity score is 8.8 out of 10 (high), as recorded in the US National Vulnerability Database.
Technical description
The (1) get_user and (2) put_user API functions in the Linux kernel before 3.5.5 on the v6k and v7 ARM platforms do not validate certain addresses, which allows attackers to read or modify the contents of arbitrary kernel memory locations via a crafted application, as exploited in the wild against Android devices in October and November 2013.