Memory Leak in cfusbl_device_notify in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1000714: net: caif: fix memory leak in cfusbl_device_notify. Affects Kernel versions >= 7ad65bf68d705b445ef10b77ab50dab22be185ee, < cc302e30a504e6b60a9ac8df7988646f46cd0294. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Kernel is a crucial component of the Linux operating system that manages the system's resources and facilitates communication between hardware and software. It provides essential functions and services to enable the proper functioning of the system. One of the features of the Kernel is the caif (Common Air Interface) subsystem, which is responsible for handling communication between devices over various interfaces. Within the caif subsystem, the cfusbl_device_notify function is used to handle notifications related to USB devices. However, a memory leak vulnerability has been identified in this function, which could lead to resource exhaustion and potential system instability.
Vulnerability Detail
The memory leak vulnerability in cfusbl_device_notify arises from a failure to release allocated memory when handling USB device notifications. This can result in a gradual depletion of available memory resources, potentially leading to system crashes or performance degradation. An attacker may be able to exploit this vulnerability to exhaust system resources, causing a denial-of-service condition. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.3 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v4.4.272.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a workaround, users can mitigate the impact of this vulnerability by avoiding the use of USB devices or by minimizing the frequency of USB device notifications. However, this workaround may not completely eliminate the risk of resource exhaustion and is not a substitute for applying the official fix.
Conclusion
The memory leak vulnerability in cfusbl_device_notify within the Kernel can lead to resource exhaustion and potential system instability. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v4.4.272 or later to address this vulnerability. Users can also consider using tools like Vulert to monitor and detect open-source vulnerabilities in their software. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The caif (Common Air Interface) subsystem in the Kernel is responsible for managing communication between devices over various interfaces. It provides a standardized interface for different communication protocols and facilitates efficient data transfer between devices.
cfusbl_device_notify is a function within the caif subsystem that handles notifications related to USB devices. It is responsible for processing events and managing the state of USB devices connected to the system.
The memory leak vulnerability in cfusbl_device_notify can lead to resource exhaustion, causing system crashes or performance degradation. An attacker may be able to exploit this vulnerability to exhaust system resources, resulting in a denial-of-service condition.
You can use tools like Vulert (https://vulert.com) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert uses a manifest file like package-lock.json to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in the software.
At the time of this report, there are no known public exploits specifically targeting this vulnerability. However, it is always recommended to apply security patches and updates promptly to mitigate the risk of potential exploits.
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