Refcount Leak in altera_tse_mdio_create in Kernel

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

28/06/2022

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

GSD-2022-1004044: net: altera: Fix refcount leak in altera_tse_mdio_create. Affects Kernel versions >= bbd2190ce96d8fce031f0526c1f970b68adc9d1a, < a013fa884d8738ad8455aa1a843b8c9d80c6c833. 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 system resources and facilitates communication between hardware and software. It provides essential functionalities for the proper functioning of the system. The altera_tse_mdio_create function is a part of the Kernel's network subsystem and is responsible for creating a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) interface for Altera Triple-Speed Ethernet (TSE) devices. This interface allows communication with the MDIO bus, which is used for configuring and controlling network devices. Unfortunately, a refcount leak vulnerability has been identified in the altera_tse_mdio_create function.

Vulnerability Detail

The refcount leak vulnerability in altera_tse_mdio_create arises due to improper handling of reference counts. When the function is called multiple times, it fails to release the reference count properly, leading to a memory leak. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to exhaust system resources, resulting in a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. 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, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v4.9.318 or later. The fix for this issue was implemented in commit a013fa884d8738ad8455aa1a843b8c9d80c6c833. Updating to the latest version will ensure that the refcount leak is properly addressed.

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Workaround

No workaround has been provided for this vulnerability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the altera_tse_mdio_create function in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to a refcount leak. This vulnerability can potentially lead to a denial-of-service condition. It is crucial to update the Kernel to version v4.9.318 or later to mitigate this issue. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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