Vulnerability in Kernel package: serial: rp2: use 'request_firmware' instead of 'request_firmware_nowait'

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

04/06/2021

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

GSD-2021-1000638: serial: rp2: use 'request_firmware' instead of 'request_firmware_nowait'. Affects Kernel versions < 915452f40e2f495e187276c4407a4f567ec2307e. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The Kernel package is a fundamental component of the Linux operating system. It provides the core functionality and interfaces for communication between hardware and software. The serial driver in the Kernel package allows communication with serial devices. The 'rp2' module within the serial driver is responsible for handling firmware requests. However, it was discovered that the 'request_firmware_nowait' function was being used instead of the more secure 'request_firmware' function.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability arises from the use of the 'request_firmware_nowait' function in the 'rp2' module of the Kernel package. This function does not wait for the firmware to be loaded, potentially leading to race conditions and other security issues. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, or cause a denial of service. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

To fix this vulnerability, the 'request_firmware_nowait' function should be replaced with the 'request_firmware' function. This ensures that the firmware is loaded synchronously, eliminating the possibility of race conditions. The fix for this vulnerability was implemented in Linux Kernel version v5.4.124 by commit 915452f40e2f495e187276c4407a4f567ec2307e.

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Workaround

There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Kernel package is vulnerable to a race condition issue in the 'rp2' module's use of the 'request_firmware_nowait' function. This vulnerability can potentially lead to unauthorized access, code execution, or denial of service. It is recommended to update to Linux Kernel version v5.4.124 or later to fix this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →