CVE-2026-68183 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
firmware: stratix10-svc: fix memory leaks and list corruption bugs
Fix a memory leak when gen_pool_alloc() fails by freeing pmem on the error path. Switch pmem allocation from devm_kzalloc() to kzalloc() with explicit kfree() in the free path to match its list-managed lifetime. Remove the erroneous list_del(&svc_data_mem) which corrupted the list head on failed lookups.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2026
This vulnerability resides within the linux kernel's firmware subsystem, specifically affecting the stratix10-svc driver that manages Intel Stratix 10 System-on-Chip services. The issue manifests as memory management flaws that can lead to resource exhaustion and system instability. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and list management operations during firmware service initialization and error recovery scenarios.
The technical flaw involves multiple interconnected memory management issues that occur when the driver attempts to allocate and manage persistent memory regions for service data structures. When gen_pool_alloc() fails during the memory allocation process, the existing code path does not properly free previously allocated pmem resources, creating a direct memory leak pattern. This failure occurs because the error handling routine lacks proper cleanup of already-allocated memory segments that were not successfully integrated into the system's managed memory pools.
The driver's approach to memory allocation demonstrates a critical design flaw in resource lifecycle management. By initially using devm_kzalloc() for pmem allocation, the code established an automatic cleanup mechanism tied to device removal events. However, this automatic cleanup conflicts with the explicit list management requirements of the service data structures, creating a mismatch between different memory management paradigms and potentially leading to double-free conditions or dangling pointer references.
The most significant operational impact occurs through the erroneous list_del(&svc_data_mem) operation that executes even during failed lookup scenarios. This corruption mechanism directly violates fundamental list integrity principles by attempting to remove an element from a list when that element may not actually be present in the list structure, leading to corrupted list heads and potentially triggering kernel oops or system crashes. This pattern aligns with common software security vulnerabilities categorized under CWE-459, which addresses incomplete cleanup issues.
The memory leak component specifically impacts system stability by gradually consuming available memory resources over time, particularly problematic in embedded systems where memory constraints are severe. The corruption of list structures creates a more insidious threat as it can lead to unpredictable behavior including kernel panics, data corruption, or denial-of-service conditions that may require system reboot to recover from.
Security implications extend beyond immediate operational concerns to include potential privilege escalation pathways through memory corruption attacks. Attackers could potentially exploit these flaws in environments where firmware services are accessible to unprivileged users or processes, though the specific attack surface is limited by the driver's intended use within kernel space operations. The vulnerability represents a classic example of improper resource management that could be leveraged in broader exploitation chains targeting embedded system firmware components.
Mitigation strategies must focus on proper error path handling and explicit memory management practices that align with the driver's operational requirements. System administrators should ensure kernel updates are applied promptly to address these memory management issues, particularly in production environments where firmware service reliability is critical. The fix implements a comprehensive cleanup approach that explicitly manages memory lifecycle through kzalloc() and kfree() operations while removing problematic list manipulation during error conditions, effectively resolving both the memory leak and corruption vulnerabilities present in the original implementation.
The resolution follows established best practices for kernel memory management and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by addressing privilege escalation vectors through improved resource handling. This vulnerability classifies under the broader category of firmware security issues that affect system-level components, making it particularly relevant for embedded systems security assessments and compliance requirements in regulated environments where system stability and integrity are paramount considerations.