Memory Leak in qla2xxx Driver in Linux Kernel
Summary
GSD-2021-1002053: scsi: qla2xxx: Fix a memory leak in an error path of qla2x00_process_els(). Affects Kernel versions >= 8c0eb596baa51f2b43949c698c644727ef17805c, < 96f0aebf29be25254fa585af43924e34aa21fd9a. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The qla2xxx driver is a SCSI driver in the Linux Kernel that provides support for QLogic Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapters (HBAs). It allows communication between the operating system and Fibre Channel storage devices. The driver is responsible for handling various SCSI commands and events. However, a memory leak vulnerability has been identified in the qla2xxx driver, which could lead to resource exhaustion and potential system instability.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability exists in the qla2x00_process_els() function of the qla2xxx driver. In certain error scenarios, the function fails to release allocated memory, resulting in a memory leak. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted ELS (Exchange Link Services) messages to a vulnerable system, causing it to exhaust available memory resources. This could lead to a denial-of-service condition or other system instability issues. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.11 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.10.76.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
If updating the Linux Kernel is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround can be implemented by disabling the affected qla2xxx driver module. This can be achieved by blacklisting the module or preventing it from loading during system startup. However, it is important to note that this workaround may result in the loss of functionality provided by the qla2xxx driver, such as Fibre Channel HBA support.
Conclusion
The memory leak vulnerability in the qla2xxx driver of the Linux Kernel can lead to resource exhaustion and system instability. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.76 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate updating is not possible, a temporary workaround of disabling the affected driver module can be implemented. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The qla2xxx driver is a SCSI driver in the Linux Kernel that provides support for QLogic Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapters (HBAs). It allows communication between the operating system and Fibre Channel storage devices.
The vulnerability could lead to a memory leak, resulting in resource exhaustion and potential system instability. It may also be possible for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service condition.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.76 or later. This update includes the necessary patch to address the memory leak issue in the qla2xxx driver.
If updating the Linux Kernel is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround can be implemented by disabling the affected qla2xxx driver module. However, this may result in the loss of functionality provided by the driver.
This vulnerability was introduced in version v3.11 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.10.76.
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