ALSA: oss: Fix PCM OSS buffer allocation overflow

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

24/04/2022

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

GSD-2022-1001941: ALSA: oss: Fix PCM OSS buffer allocation overflow. Affects Kernel versions < 7a40cbf3579a8e14849ba7ce46309c1992658d2b. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) is a software framework and part of the Linux kernel that provides an API for sound card drivers. It allows applications to communicate with sound devices and perform audio operations. The PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) subsystem in ALSA handles digital audio data, including recording and playback. The PCM OSS (Open Sound System) is a compatibility layer that allows applications using the legacy OSS API to work with ALSA.

The vulnerability identified in the PCM OSS buffer allocation can lead to an overflow. This vulnerability can potentially be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in the PCM OSS buffer allocation occurs due to improper handling of buffer sizes. When allocating memory for PCM OSS buffers, the code does not properly validate the requested buffer size, leading to an overflow. An attacker could craft a malicious request that triggers this vulnerability, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code or crash the system.

The vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.15.32 by commit 7a40cbf3579a8e14849ba7ce46309c1992658d2b.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

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Conclusion

The vulnerability in the PCM OSS buffer allocation has the potential to be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.32 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Following best practices for system security is also recommended. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.

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