CVE-2022-27950 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2022
In drivers/hid/hid-elo.c in the Linux kernel before 5.16.11, a memory leak exists for a certain hid_parse error condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27950 represents a memory leak flaw within the Linux kernel's HID (Human Interface Device) subsystem, specifically in the elo driver component. This issue affects kernel versions prior to 5.16.11 and manifests when handling certain error conditions during HID device parsing operations. The vulnerability resides in the drivers/hid/hid-elo.c file which manages ELO serial touchscreen devices, making it particularly relevant for systems utilizing touchscreen interfaces in industrial or point-of-sale environments.
The technical root cause of this memory leak stems from improper error handling within the hid_parse function execution flow. When the parsing process encounters an error condition, the driver fails to properly release previously allocated memory resources before exiting the error handling path. This results in memory fragments that remain allocated and inaccessible to the system's memory management subsystem, creating a gradual accumulation of leaked memory over time. The flaw operates under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper release of memory after transfer of ownership, making it a classic example of memory management deficiency in kernel space code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues, as sustained memory leaks can lead to system performance degradation, reduced responsiveness, and potentially system instability. In embedded systems or devices with limited memory resources, this memory leak could contribute to system crashes or complete service unavailability. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize ELO serial touchscreens, which are commonly found in kiosks, digital signage, industrial control panels, and retail point-of-sale systems. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by repeatedly triggering the error condition, accelerating memory exhaustion and leading to denial-of-service scenarios that impact critical operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27950 primarily involve upgrading to Linux kernel version 5.16.11 or later where the memory leak has been addressed through proper error handling implementation. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running industrial or embedded environments where ELO touchscreens are deployed. Additionally, monitoring memory usage patterns and implementing automated alerting for memory consumption anomalies can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors, though the vulnerability itself does not require network access for exploitation since it operates within the kernel space. The fix typically involves ensuring that all allocated memory is properly freed before returning from error handling paths, aligning with established kernel development practices and security guidelines from the Linux kernel security team.