CVE-2021-3743 : Security Advisory and Response

An out-of-bounds (OOB) memory read flaw was found in the Qualcomm IPC router protocol in the Linux kernel. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to gain access to out-of-bounds memory, potentially leading to a system crash or exposure of internal kernel information. The impact of this vulnerability is primarily on system availability.

Understanding CVE-2021-3743

The CVE-2021-3743 vulnerability involves an OOB memory read flaw in the Qualcomm IPC router protocol in the Linux kernel.

What is CVE-2021-3743?

CVE-2021-3743 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that enables a local attacker to exploit an out-of-bounds memory read flaw in the Qualcomm IPC router protocol.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3743

The vulnerability poses a threat to system availability, as an attacker can leverage it to access out-of-bounds memory, which may result in system crashes or the leakage of internal kernel information.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3743

The technical details of CVE-2021-3743 are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows a local attacker to perform an out-of-bounds memory read in the Qualcomm IPC router protocol within the Linux kernel.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions starting from v5.14.0-rc6 and above.

Exploitation Mechanism

A missing sanity check in the Qualcomm IPC router protocol permits the exploitation of this vulnerability by a local attacker.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-3743, consider the following mitigation and prevention strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to remediate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor security advisories for updates and apply them promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles to limit exposure to potential attackers.
Regularly update and patch systems to address known vulnerabilities and enhance security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely patching and updates of affected systems to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-3743.