Memory Leak in nvme-loop: Fix in Linux Kernel

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

31/05/2021

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

GSD-2021-1000497: nvme-loop: fix memory leak in nvme_loop_create_ctrl(). Affects Kernel versions >= 3a85a5de29ea779634ddfd768059e06196687aba, < 551ba08d4b7eb26f75758cdb9f15105b276517ad. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The nvme-loop is a component in the Linux Kernel that provides support for NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) loopback devices. It allows users to create virtual NVMe devices that are backed by regular files or block devices. These virtual devices can then be accessed as if they were real NVMe devices. The nvme-loop component has been vulnerable to a memory leak issue.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in nvme-loop is a memory leak that occurs in the nvme_loop_create_ctrl() function. This function is responsible for creating and initializing the NVMe controller for the loop device. However, due to a coding error, memory allocated during the creation of the controller is not properly freed, leading to a memory leak. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to exhaust system memory resources, potentially causing a denial-of-service condition. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

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Workaround

There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.

Conclusion

The nvme-loop component in the Linux Kernel has been found to have a memory leak vulnerability. This vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.12.7. Users are advised to update their Linux Kernel to at least this version to mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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