USN-5728-2: Linux kernel vulnerabilities

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Jann Horn discovered that the Linux kernel did not properly track memory
allocations for anonymous VMA mappings in some situations, leading to
potential data structure reuse. A local attacker could use this to cause a
denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code.
(CVE-2022-42703)

It was discovered that a race condition existed in the memory address space
accounting implementation in the Linux kernel, leading to a use-after-free
vulnerability. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service
(system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2022-41222)

It was discovered that a race condition existed in the instruction emulator
of the Linux kernel on Arm 64-bit systems. A local attacker could use this
to cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2022-20422)

It was discovered that the KVM implementation in the Linux kernel did not
properly handle virtual CPUs without APICs in certain situations. A local
attacker could possibly use this to cause a denial of service (host system
crash). (CVE-2022-2153)

Hao Sun and Jiacheng Xu discovered that the NILFS file system
implementation in the Linux kernel contained a use-after-free
vulnerability. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service
(system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2022-2978)

Johannes Wikner and Kaveh Razavi discovered that for some Intel x86-64
processors, the Linux kernel’s protections against speculative branch
target injection attacks were insufficient in some circumstances. A local
attacker could possibly use this to expose sensitive information.
(CVE-2022-29901)

Abhishek Shah discovered a race condition in the PF_KEYv2 implementation in
the Linux kernel. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of
service (system crash) or possibly expose sensitive information (kernel
memory). (CVE-2022-3028)

It was discovered that the Netlink device interface implementation in the
Linux kernel did not properly handle certain error conditions, leading to a
use-after-free vulnerability with some network device drivers. A local
attacker with admin access to the network device could use this to cause a
denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code.
(CVE-2022-3625)

It was discovered that the IDT 77252 ATM PCI device driver in the Linux
kernel did not properly remove any pending timers during device exit,
resulting in a use-after-free vulnerability. A local attacker could
possibly use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or execute
arbitrary code. (CVE-2022-3635)

Jann Horn discovered a race condition existed in the Linux kernel when
unmapping VMAs in certain situations, resulting in possible use-after-free
vulnerabilities. A local attacker could possibly use this to cause a denial
of service (system crash) or execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2022-39188)

Xingyuan Mo and Gengjia Chen discovered that the Promise SuperTrak EX
storage controller driver in the Linux kernel did not properly handle
certain structures. A local attacker could potentially use this to expose
sensitive information (kernel memory). (CVE-2022-40768)

Sönke Huster discovered that a use-after-free vulnerability existed in the
WiFi driver stack in the Linux kernel. A physically proximate attacker
could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly
execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2022-42719)

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USN-5727-2: Linux kernel (GCP) vulnerabilities

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It was discovered that a race condition existed in the instruction emulator
of the Linux kernel on Arm 64-bit systems. A local attacker could use this
to cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2022-20422)

It was discovered that the KVM implementation in the Linux kernel did not
properly handle virtual CPUs without APICs in certain situations. A local
attacker could possibly use this to cause a denial of service (host system
crash). (CVE-2022-2153)

Hao Sun and Jiacheng Xu discovered that the NILFS file system
implementation in the Linux kernel contained a use-after-free
vulnerability. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service
(system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2022-2978)

Abhishek Shah discovered a race condition in the PF_KEYv2 implementation in
the Linux kernel. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of
service (system crash) or possibly expose sensitive information (kernel
memory). (CVE-2022-3028)

It was discovered that the IDT 77252 ATM PCI device driver in the Linux
kernel did not properly remove any pending timers during device exit,
resulting in a use-after-free vulnerability. A local attacker could
possibly use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or execute
arbitrary code. (CVE-2022-3635)

It was discovered that the Netlink Transformation (XFRM) subsystem in the
Linux kernel contained a reference counting error. A local attacker could
use this to cause a denial of service (system crash). (CVE-2022-36879)

Xingyuan Mo and Gengjia Chen discovered that the Promise SuperTrak EX
storage controller driver in the Linux kernel did not properly handle
certain structures. A local attacker could potentially use this to expose
sensitive information (kernel memory). (CVE-2022-40768)

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Almost half of customers have left a vendor due to poor digital trust: Report

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Forty-seven percent of consumers have stopped doing business with a company after losing trust in that company’s digital security, according to new research from certificate authority and cybersecurity vendor DigiCert.

The findings, which have been compiled in the company’s 2022 State of Digital Trust Survey, also revealed that 84% of customers would consider switching if they were to lose trust in a company, with 57% saying switching would be likely. The survey was administered as a phone and email survey to 400 enterprises and 400 consumers around the world.

To read this article in full, please click here

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First Review of A Hacker’s Mind

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Kirkus reviews A Hacker’s Mind:

A cybersecurity expert examines how the powerful game whatever system is put before them, leaving it to others to cover the cost.

Schneier, a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and author of such books as Data and Goliath and Click Here To Kill Everybody, regularly challenges his students to write down the first 100 digits of pi, a nearly impossible task­—but not if they cheat, concerning which he admonishes, “Don’t get caught.” Not getting caught is the aim of the hackers who exploit the vulnerabilities of systems of all kinds. Consider right-wing venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who located a hack in the tax code: “Because he was one of the founders of PayPal, he was able to use a $2,000 investment to buy 1.7 million shares of the company at $0.001 per share, turning it into $5 billion—all forever tax free.” It was perfectly legal—and even if it weren’t, the wealthy usually go unpunished. The author, a fluid writer and tech communicator, reveals how the tax code lends itself to hacking, as when tech companies like Apple and Google avoid paying billions of dollars by transferring profits out of the U.S. to corporate-friendly nations such as Ireland, then offshoring the “disappeared” dollars to Bermuda, the Caymans, and other havens. Every system contains trap doors that can be breached to advantage. For example, Schneier cites “the Pudding Guy,” who hacked an airline miles program by buying low-cost pudding cups in a promotion that, for $3,150, netted him 1.2 million miles and “lifetime Gold frequent flier status.” Since it was all within the letter if not the spirit of the offer, “the company paid up.” The companies often do, because they’re gaming systems themselves. “Any rule can be hacked,” notes the author, be it a religious dietary restriction or a legislative procedure. With technology, “we can hack more, faster, better,” requiring diligent monitoring and a demand that everyone play by rules that have been hardened against tampering.

An eye-opening, maddening book that offers hope for leveling a badly tilted playing field.

I got a starred review. Libraries make decisions on what to buy based on starred reviews. Publications make decisions about what to review based on starred reviews. This is a big deal.

Book’s webpage

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India drafts new privacy bill for transfer of personal data internationally

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The Indian federal government on Friday published a new draft of data privacy laws that would allow personal data transfer to other nations under certain conditions, and impose fines for breaches of data-transfer and data-collection regulations.

The proposed legislation has been in the works for about four years. Up until now, the Reserve Bank of India has enacted regulations that make businesses keep transaction data within the country. The government, though, has not issued more general data protection regulations such as the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), so companies have been exporting personal data in the absence of clear privacy rules.

To read this article in full, please click here

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Successful Hack of Time-Triggered Ethernet

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Time-triggered Ethernet (TTE) is used in spacecraft, basically to use the same hardware to process traffic with different timing and criticality. Researchers have defeated it:

On Tuesday, researchers published findings that, for the first time, break TTE’s isolation guarantees. The result is PCspooF, an attack that allows a single non-critical device connected to a single plane to disrupt synchronization and communication between TTE devices on all planes. The attack works by exploiting a vulnerability in the TTE protocol. The work was completed by researchers at the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

“Our evaluation shows that successful attacks are possible in seconds and that each successful attack can cause TTE devices to lose synchronization for up to a second and drop tens of TT messages—both of which can result in the failure of critical systems like aircraft or automobiles,” the researchers wrote. “We also show that, in a simulated spaceflight mission, PCspooF causes uncontrolled maneuvers that threaten safety and mission success.”

Much more detail in the article—and the research paper.

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Police force published sexual assault victims’ names and addresses on its website

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A UK police force has apologised after it published the names and addresses of victims of sexual assault on its website.

Suffolk Police says that it has launched an investigation into how victims’ names, addresses, dates of birth, and details of reportedly hundreds of alleged offences were left on public view.

Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.

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