Memory Leak in __mdiobus_register in Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1001985: net: mdiobus: Fix memory leak in __mdiobus_register. Affects Kernel versions < a9831afa2dc8a18205403907c41aa4e0950ac611. 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 functions for device drivers, process management, and memory allocation. The __mdiobus_register function is part of the mdiobus subsystem, which handles communication with Ethernet PHY devices. This vulnerability in __mdiobus_register can lead to a memory leak, causing a gradual depletion of available memory resources.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in __mdiobus_register arises from a memory leak issue. When the function is called to register a new mdiobus, it fails to release allocated memory in certain scenarios. As a result, memory resources are not properly freed, leading to a gradual accumulation of unreleased memory. This can eventually exhaust available memory, causing system instability, crashes, or denial-of-service conditions. The vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v4.19.214 by commit a9831afa2dc8a18205403907c41aa4e0950ac611.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. The recommended approach is to apply the fix by updating the Linux Kernel to the patched version.
Conclusion
The memory leak vulnerability in __mdiobus_register can have significant consequences for system stability and performance. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to the patched version to mitigate the risk of memory depletion and potential denial-of-service conditions. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to a memory leak, gradually depleting available memory resources. This can result in system instability, crashes, or denial-of-service conditions.
You can use tools like Vulert Playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities without requiring access to the code or installation.
At the time of this report, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is crucial to apply the fix promptly to mitigate the risk.
This vulnerability does not have a specific remote exploitation vector mentioned. However, memory leaks can potentially be exploited to exhaust system resources, leading to service disruptions or other security implications.
The primary solution is to update the Linux Kernel to the patched version. However, if updating the kernel is not feasible, implementing additional memory management measures and monitoring system resources can help mitigate the impact of the vulnerability.
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