CVE-2024-26751 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ARM: ep93xx: Add terminator to gpiod_lookup_table
Without the terminator, if a con_id is passed to gpio_find() that does not exist in the lookup table the function will not stop looping correctly, and eventually cause an oops.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-26751 affects the Linux kernel's ARM architecture implementation, specifically within the ep93xx platform driver. This issue resides in the gpio device lookup table functionality where the absence of a proper terminator sequence creates a critical flaw in the gpio_find() function's operation. The vulnerability manifests when a con_id parameter is passed to gpio_find() that does not exist within the gpiod_lookup_table structure, leading to improper loop termination behavior that can result in system crashes or oops conditions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management and loop control within the GPIO subsystem's lookup table processing code. When gpio_find() attempts to locate a GPIO device identifier in the lookup table, it relies on a sequence of entries terminated by a specific marker. Without this terminator, the function continues iterating through memory locations beyond the intended table boundaries, potentially accessing invalid memory regions or encountering uninitialized data structures. This flaw represents a classic buffer overread condition that violates the fundamental principles of secure memory access patterns and proper array boundary checking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable denial of service conditions that could compromise system availability. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by providing malformed con_id parameters to GPIO lookup functions, causing the kernel to enter an infinite loop or access unauthorized memory regions. This could result in system crashes, kernel oops messages, and ultimately render the affected system non-functional until reboot. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded systems and IoT devices that rely heavily on GPIO operations for peripheral control and system management.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which involves the exploitation of system resource consumption through denial of service attacks. The issue affects systems using the ARM ep93xx platform where GPIO device lookups are performed, potentially impacting a wide range of embedded devices, industrial control systems, and network appliances that utilize this specific kernel implementation. The lack of proper boundary checking in the lookup table processing creates an attack surface that could be leveraged to cause system instability or complete system compromise.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the kernel patch that adds the missing terminator to the gpiod_lookup_table structure. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel versions to include this fix, particularly in production environments where system stability and availability are critical. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms in GPIO subsystem implementations can prevent similar issues from occurring in other kernel components. Regular kernel security updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure all systems remain protected against such memory access violations and related security threats.