A race condition flaw was found in the N_HLDC Linux kernel driver when accessing n_hdlc.tbuf that can lead to double free. A local, unprivileged user able to set the HDLC line discipline on the tty device could use this flaw to increase their privileges on the system.
Acknowledgments: Name: Alexander Popov
Mitigation: The n_hdlc kernel module will be automatically loaded when an application attempts to use the HDLC line discipline from userspace. This module can be prevented from being loaded by using the system-wide modprobe rules. The following command, run as root, will prevent accidental or intentional loading of the module. Red Hat Product Security believe this method is a robust method to prevent accidental loading of the module, even by privileged users. # echo "install n_hdlc /bin/true" >> /etc/modprobe.d/disable-n_hdlc.conf The system will need to be restarted if the n_hdlc modules are already loaded. In most circumstances, the n_hdlc kernel modules will be unable to be unloaded if in use and while any current process using this line discipline is required. Exploiting this flaw does not require Microgate or SyncLink hardware to be in use. If further assistance is needed, see this KCS article ( https://access.redhat.com/solutions/41278 ) or contact Red Hat Global Support Services.
Statement: This issue does not affect the Linux kernel packages as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. This issue does affect the Linux kernel packages as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, 7 and Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2. As this issue is rated as Important, it has been scheduled to be fixed in future updates for the respective releases.
Was noted and made public here: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/03/07/6
Created kernel tracking bugs for this issue: Affects: fedora-all [bug 1430049]
Upstream patch: https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/gregkh/tty.git/commit/?h=tty-linus&id=82f2341c94d270421f383641b7cd670e474db56b
External References: https://access.redhat.com/security/vulnerabilities/CVE-2017-2636 https://a13xp0p0v.github.io/2017/03/24/CVE-2017-2636.html
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Via RHSA-2017:0892 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0892
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2 Via RHSA-2017:0932 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0932
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Via RHSA-2017:0931 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0931
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Via RHSA-2017:0933 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0933
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.4 Advanced Update Support Via RHSA-2017:0986 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0986
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.2 Advanced Update Support Via RHSA-2017:1126 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1126
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.2 Extended Update Support Via RHSA-2017:1125 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1125
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.5 Advanced Update Support Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.5 Telco Extended Update Support Via RHSA-2017:1232 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1232
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 Extended Update Support Via RHSA-2017:1233 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1233
This issue has been addressed in the following products: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.6 Advanced Update Support Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.6 Telco Extended Update Support Via RHSA-2017:1488 https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1488