CVE-2026-23079 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
gpio: cdev: Fix resource leaks on errors in lineinfo_changed_notify()
On error handling paths, lineinfo_changed_notify() doesn't free the allocated resources which results leaks. Fix it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
This vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel's GPIO subsystem, specifically affecting the character device implementation responsible for managing GPIO line information changes. The issue manifests in the lineinfo_changed_notify() function which serves as a notification handler for GPIO line state modifications. When error conditions occur during the execution of this function, the code fails to properly release previously allocated memory resources, creating persistent memory leaks that can accumulate over time. The vulnerability represents a classic resource management flaw that can lead to system instability and performance degradation. According to CWE-404, this corresponds to an improper resource release or cleanup, where the system fails to properly deallocate memory or other resources when error conditions are encountered during normal operation. The vulnerability impacts the kernel's GPIO character device framework which is essential for hardware abstraction and device communication in embedded systems and server environments.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the error handling pathways of the lineinfo_changed_notify() function where the kernel fails to execute proper cleanup routines when unexpected conditions arise during GPIO line information updates. This function likely allocates memory structures to represent GPIO line states and their associated metadata, but when errors occur during processing such as memory allocation failures, invalid parameter conditions, or hardware communication issues, the allocated resources remain unreleased. The error handling code path bypasses the standard cleanup procedures that would normally free these allocations, leading to memory leaks that persist until system reboot. This type of resource leak can be particularly problematic in long-running systems or embedded devices where memory constraints are tight and system stability is critical.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across various Linux kernel deployments including embedded systems, servers, and IoT devices that rely on GPIO functionality for hardware control and monitoring. Memory leaks can gradually consume system resources, potentially leading to reduced system performance, increased latency in GPIO operations, or even system crashes in severe cases where memory exhaustion occurs. The vulnerability affects systems using the GPIO character device interface which is fundamental to many hardware abstraction layers and device drivers. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause denial of service conditions by triggering multiple error scenarios that accumulate memory leaks, though direct exploitation for privilege escalation or remote code execution is not indicated. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490, which involves resource exhaustion through memory leaks and other resource consumption attacks that can degrade system performance and availability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying the kernel patch that corrects the resource management error in lineinfo_changed_notify() function. System administrators should prioritize updating kernel versions to include the fix, particularly in production environments where GPIO functionality is heavily utilized. Monitoring for memory usage patterns and implementing automated alerts for unusual memory consumption can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves ensuring that all allocated resources are properly freed regardless of execution path, implementing proper error handling routines that include cleanup operations in error branches. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other security controls that can help mitigate potential exploitation of similar resource management vulnerabilities in the kernel's GPIO subsystem.