CVE-2023-54078 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: max9286: Free control handler
The control handler is leaked in some probe-time error paths, as well as in the remove path. Fix it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-54078 resides within the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically affecting the max9286 driver which manages camera sensor interfaces. This issue represents a memory management flaw that occurs during device initialization and removal processes, creating potential security implications for systems utilizing embedded camera hardware. The max9286 driver is commonly found in automotive and industrial applications where video capture and processing are critical components of system functionality.
The technical flaw manifests as a memory leak in the control handler component of the max9286 driver. During probe-time error conditions or when the device is removed from the system, the control handler structure fails to be properly freed from memory. This memory leak occurs because the driver does not consistently execute cleanup operations in all execution paths, particularly when error conditions arise during device initialization or when the device removal routine is triggered. The control handler in question manages various control operations and configuration parameters for the camera sensor, making proper memory management essential for system stability and security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, potentially creating persistent memory leaks that could accumulate over time and affect system performance. In embedded systems with limited memory resources, such as automotive infotainment systems or industrial monitoring equipment, these memory leaks could lead to system instability, reduced responsiveness, or even complete system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where devices may be frequently initialized and removed, as the memory leak compounds with each operation, eventually depleting available memory resources and potentially affecting other system processes.
From a security perspective, this memory leak vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which addresses improper release of memory resources, and could potentially be leveraged in denial-of-service attacks against systems relying on the affected driver. The issue demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where error handling paths do not properly clean up allocated resources, creating a persistent security weakness. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper resource cleanup in all code paths, including error conditions, and ensuring that memory allocated during device probe operations is consistently freed during device removal or error scenarios. The fix typically involves adding proper cleanup code to ensure that the control handler is freed in all execution paths, preventing the accumulation of leaked memory resources. This vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive error handling and resource management in kernel drivers, particularly those handling critical hardware interfaces in embedded systems environments.