CVE-2022-24959 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2022
An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.16.5. There is a memory leak in yam_siocdevprivate in drivers/net/hamradio/yam.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24959 represents a memory leak condition within the Linux kernel version 5.16.5 and earlier. This flaw exists in the yam_siocdevprivate function located in the drivers/net/hamradio/yam.c file, which is part of the kernel's hamradio driver subsystem. The yam driver specifically supports the Yaesu AMateur radio protocol implementation, enabling communication between Linux systems and amateur radio equipment through serial interfaces. The memory leak occurs during the processing of private ioctl commands that are used to configure and manage the YAM radio interface parameters. This particular vulnerability affects systems that utilize amateur radio equipment connected through serial ports and rely on the Linux kernel's hamradio subsystem for communication protocols.
The technical implementation of this memory leak stems from improper memory management within the yam_siocdevprivate function which handles the SIOCDEVPRIVATE ioctl command. When the function processes certain input parameters, it allocates memory for internal structures but fails to properly free this memory in all execution paths. This occurs particularly when error conditions are encountered during parameter validation or when specific configuration options are processed. The flaw manifests as a gradual accumulation of unreleased memory blocks that remain allocated to the kernel space even after the function completes its operation. The memory leak is classified as a resource leak under CWE-404, specifically related to improper handling of allocated resources. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in kernel space because kernel memory is limited and continuously allocated, making memory exhaustion a potential system stability risk.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues as it can lead to system degradation and potential denial of service conditions. As the memory leak accumulates over time, the kernel's available memory pool decreases, which can result in reduced system performance, increased latency in network operations, or even complete system instability. In environments where amateur radio equipment is continuously monitored or where multiple YAM interface configurations are active, the memory consumption can escalate rapidly. This vulnerability is particularly relevant in embedded systems or specialized computing platforms that serve as radio communication nodes in amateur radio networks, where system stability and resource utilization are critical. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a resource exhaustion technique under the system resource exhaustion tactic, potentially enabling adversaries to cause system instability or deny legitimate service access. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in mission-critical applications where radio communication reliability is essential, as the memory leak could eventually lead to complete system failure or communication disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24959 focus primarily on updating the Linux kernel to version 5.16.5 or later, where the memory leak has been addressed through proper memory management practices. System administrators should prioritize kernel updates, particularly in environments that utilize amateur radio equipment or hamradio interfaces. Additionally, monitoring systems should be implemented to track memory consumption patterns and identify potential memory leak impacts before they escalate into system failures. For systems where immediate kernel updates are not feasible, administrators can consider implementing memory monitoring tools that can detect unusual memory consumption patterns and alert operators to potential issues. The fix implemented in the patched kernel version ensures that all allocated memory is properly freed regardless of execution path, addressing the root cause of the memory leak through defensive programming practices. Organizations using specialized radio communication systems should also conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other kernel subsystems that may be exposed to similar memory management issues.