ima: Potential Memory Leak in ima_init_crypto()
Summary
GSD-2022-1004394: ima: Fix potential memory leak in ima_init_crypto(). Affects Kernel versions >= 6d94809af6b0830c4dfcad661535a5939bcb8a7d, < 601ae26aa2802a4c10c94d7388a99eabdbefab2b. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Kernel package is a critical component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and facilitating communication between hardware and software. It provides essential functionalities such as process management, memory management, and device drivers. The ima_init_crypto() function is part of the Integrity Measurement Architecture (IMA) subsystem, which ensures the integrity of files and processes on the system. This vulnerability in ima_init_crypto() could lead to a potential memory leak, impacting system performance and stability.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a potential memory leak in the ima_init_crypto() function. When this function is called, it may allocate memory but fail to deallocate it properly, resulting in a memory leak. This can lead to a gradual depletion of available memory resources, potentially causing system slowdowns, instability, or even denial of service. The vulnerability was introduced in version v5.8 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.15.56.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a workaround, users can avoid the potential memory leak by disabling the IMA subsystem if it is not required for their specific use case. This can be achieved by modifying the system's configuration or kernel boot parameters. However, it is important to note that disabling IMA may impact the system's security posture, and this workaround should only be considered if the IMA functionality is not essential.
Conclusion
The potential memory leak in ima_init_crypto() poses a risk to the stability and performance of Linux systems running affected versions of the Kernel. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to update the Kernel to version v5.15.56 or later. Users can obtain the updated Kernel from the official Linux Kernel repository or through their respective Linux distribution's package management system. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The potential memory leak in ima_init_crypto() can lead to system performance degradation, instability, or denial of service due to the gradual depletion of available memory resources.
Users can check their Linux Kernel version to determine if it falls within the affected range (v5.8 to v5.15.55). Additionally, monitoring system performance for signs of memory depletion or instability can indicate the presence of this vulnerability.
At the time of this report, there are no known public exploits specifically targeting this vulnerability. However, it is always recommended to promptly apply security updates to mitigate potential risks.
As a temporary measure, users can consider disabling the IMA subsystem if it is not essential for their use case. However, it is crucial to weigh the potential impact on system security before implementing this workaround.
For more detailed information about this vulnerability, including technical specifics and the patch implementation, users can refer to the provided references link in the vulnerability details section.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
