Memory Leak Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: fbtft Framebuffer Allocation Issue
Summary
CVE-2025-38612: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: staging: fbtft: fix potential memory leak in fbtft_framebuffer_alloc() In the error paths after fb_info structure is successfully allocated, the memory... Affects linux versions 5.10.103-1 – 6.9.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of many operating systems, providing essential services for hardware management and system resources. It is widely used in various distributions, including Debian. The kernel's staging area contains experimental drivers and features that are not yet fully integrated. The fbtft driver is part of this staging area, enabling framebuffer support for various small TFT displays. This vulnerability affects the memory management within the fbtft framebuffer allocation process, potentially leading to resource leaks.
Vulnerability Detail
In the Linux kernel, specifically within the fbtft driver, a memory leak occurs during the framebuffer allocation process. When the fb_info structure is successfully allocated, the memory allocated for info->pagerefs in the fb_deferred_io_init() function is not freed in the error paths. This oversight can lead to increased memory consumption over time, potentially exhausting system resources and causing instability or crashes. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-38612 and affects multiple Debian versions.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. The best course of action is to apply the patch by updating the Linux package as described above.
Conclusion
The memory leak vulnerability CVE-2025-38612 in the Linux kernel's fbtft driver poses a significant risk to system stability due to potential resource exhaustion. It is essential to update the Linux package to the latest version to resolve this issue and maintain system integrity.
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FAQ
CVE-2025-38612 is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's fbtft driver, which can lead to increased memory usage and potential system instability.
If exploited, this vulnerability can cause your system to consume excessive memory, leading to performance degradation or crashes.
Yes, the vulnerability affects Debian versions 11, 12, 13, and 14. It is crucial to check for updates to mitigate the risk.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software by simply using a manifest file like package-lock.json. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is advisable to monitor your system's memory usage and apply the update as soon as possible to mitigate the risk.
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