CVE-2019-20810 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
go7007_snd_init in drivers/media/usb/go7007/snd-go7007.c in the Linux kernel before 5.6 does not call snd_card_free for a failure path, which causes a memory leak, aka CID-9453264ef586.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20810 resides within the Linux kernel's USB go7007 driver implementation, specifically in the go7007_snd_init function located at drivers/media/usb/go7007/snd-go7007.c. This flaw represents a classic memory management issue that occurs during error handling scenarios, where the kernel fails to properly release allocated resources when encountering failure conditions. The go7007 driver is responsible for handling USB video capture devices, particularly those based on the go7007 chipset used in various digital video recording and streaming applications. The vulnerability manifests when the function encounters an error condition during initialization, failing to execute the snd_card_free function call that would normally release the allocated sound card resources.
This memory leak vulnerability falls under the category of improper resource management as classified by CWE-404, specifically representing a failure to release memory resources properly during error paths. The flaw occurs in the context of kernel-level audio subsystem initialization where the driver attempts to register a sound card with the kernel's sound subsystem. When initialization fails, the code path does not properly clean up the allocated memory structures, leading to gradual memory consumption that can eventually impact system performance and stability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within kernel space, where resource leaks can have broader implications for system integrity and available memory resources for other critical processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption, as it can contribute to system instability and potential denial of service conditions in environments where USB video capture devices are frequently initialized and torn down. Attackers who can repeatedly trigger the initialization failure path may be able to cause progressive memory exhaustion, potentially leading to system crashes or degraded performance in systems running affected kernel versions. The vulnerability affects all Linux kernel versions prior to 5.6, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining older kernel versions or those unable to immediately patch their systems. The memory leak occurs in a relatively common code path associated with USB audio device initialization, meaning that any system utilizing go7007-based USB capture devices could be affected.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on kernel version updates to 5.6 or later, where the proper resource cleanup has been implemented. Organizations should prioritize patching systems running affected kernel versions, particularly those in production environments where USB video capture devices are actively used. Additionally, system administrators can monitor memory usage patterns for unusual increases that might indicate memory leaks, though this approach is less reliable than proactive patching. The fix implemented in kernel version 5.6 ensures that the snd_card_free function is properly called regardless of the initialization outcome, thereby preventing the memory leak. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 for "File and Directory Permissions Modification" in scenarios where memory exhaustion could be exploited to gain unauthorized system access, though the primary risk remains resource exhaustion rather than direct privilege escalation.