Memory Leak Vulnerability in NFC Digital Module of Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1001829: NFC: digital: fix possible memory leak in digital_in_send_sdd_req(). Affects Kernel versions >= 2c66daecc4092e6049673c281b2e6f0d5e59a94c, < 2bde4aca56db9fe25405d39ddb062531493a65db. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux Kernel is a widely used open-source operating system kernel that serves as the foundation for various Linux distributions. It provides essential functionality for hardware abstraction, process management, memory management, and device drivers. The NFC (Near Field Communication) digital module is a component of the Linux Kernel that enables communication between devices in close proximity. It facilitates contactless data exchange and is commonly used for applications such as mobile payments, access control, and data transfer.
However, a vulnerability has been identified in the NFC digital module that could lead to a memory leak. A memory leak occurs when a program fails to release allocated memory, resulting in a gradual depletion of available memory resources. This vulnerability could potentially be exploited by an attacker to exhaust system memory, leading to performance degradation or even system crashes.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as GSD-2021-1001829, exists in the digital_in_send_sdd_req() function of the NFC digital module in the Linux Kernel. The function is responsible for sending a Secure Digital Data (SDD) request. However, due to a coding error, there is a possibility of a memory leak occurring during the execution of this function. If the memory leak occurs repeatedly, it can result in a gradual depletion of available memory resources.
The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the system's memory management capabilities and the frequency of SDD requests. In worst-case scenarios, it could lead to system instability, performance degradation, or denial-of-service conditions. However, the actual attack plausibility and impact have not been proven yet.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As this vulnerability has been fixed in the Linux Kernel version v5.4.155, there is no specific workaround available. Users are advised to update their kernel to the latest version as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Conclusion
The memory leak vulnerability in the NFC digital module of the Linux Kernel can potentially lead to system instability and performance degradation. It is crucial for users to update their Linux Kernel to version v5.4.155 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Regularly checking for updates and promptly applying them is essential to ensure the security and stability of the system.
For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The Linux Kernel is an open-source operating system kernel that serves as the foundation for various Linux distributions. It provides essential functionality for hardware abstraction, process management, memory management, and device drivers.
The NFC digital module is a component of the Linux Kernel that enables communication between devices in close proximity. It facilitates contactless data exchange and is commonly used for applications such as mobile payments, access control, and data transfer.
A memory leak occurs when a program fails to release allocated memory, resulting in a gradual depletion of available memory resources. It can lead to performance degradation or system crashes.
The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the system's memory management capabilities and the frequency of Secure Digital Data (SDD) requests. In worst-case scenarios, it could lead to system instability, performance degradation, or denial-of-service conditions.
To fix this vulnerability, users are advised to update their Linux Kernel to version v5.4.155 or later. This can be done by obtaining the updated kernel source code from the official Linux Kernel repository and compiling it for their specific system.
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