Race Condition in Linux Kernel's DMA Engine: Xilinx DMA Management Vulnerability
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2026-93170: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: dmaengine: xilinx_dma: Fix channel idle state management in AXIDMA and MCDMA interrupt handlers Fix a race condition in AXIDMA and MCDMA irq handlers wh... Affects linux versions 6.1.106-1 – 7.2~rc7-1~exp1. 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 supports a wide range of hardware architectures and is known for its stability and performance. The DMA (Direct Memory Access) engine is a critical feature that allows peripherals to communicate with system memory without CPU intervention. This vulnerability affects the Xilinx DMA management within the kernel, specifically in the AXIDMA and MCDMA interrupt handlers, which manage data transfers efficiently. However, a flaw in the channel state management can lead to erroneous behavior, potentially compromising system integrity.
Vulnerability Detail
In the Linux kernel, a race condition exists in the AXIDMA and MCDMA interrupt handlers. When multiple descriptors are queued and an interrupt fires after some descriptors are completed, the channel may be incorrectly marked as idle. This can lead to spurious transfer attempts while there are still unprocessed descriptors in the active list. The vulnerability arises from the improper management of the channel state, which can result in descriptor corruption or missed completions. This issue is critical as it can affect data integrity and system performance.
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. It is recommended to apply the patch as soon as it is available to mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The vulnerability CVE-2026-93170 in the Linux kernel's DMA engine poses significant risks due to improper channel state management. Users are urged to update their systems to the patched version to ensure data integrity and system performance. Monitoring tools like Vulert can assist in identifying vulnerabilities in your software.
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FAQ
CVE-2026-93170 refers to a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DMA engine, specifically affecting the Xilinx DMA management, leading to potential data corruption.
This vulnerability can lead to premature transfer attempts and potential descriptor corruption, which may compromise data integrity and system performance.
If you are using a version of the Linux kernel that has not been patched for CVE-2026-93170, your system may be vulnerable. You can check your kernel version and update accordingly.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using a manifest file like package-lock.json. Visit https://vulert.com for more information.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to prioritize updating your kernel to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
References
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