CVE-2026-93130 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
platform/x86: dell-wmi-base: Fix resource leak on module load failure
We need to properly clean up the SMBIOS request and the privacy driver when the module load fails.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2026
The identified issue resides within the platform hardware abstraction layer of the Linux kernel, specifically in the dell-wmi-base subsystem which manages communication with Dell-specific WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) interfaces via ACPI methods. This vulnerability manifests as a resource leak that occurs during the module initialization phase when the loading process encounters an error condition and fails to complete successfully. In complex driver architectures like those found in modern operating systems, modules often perform multiple sequential setup steps involving memory allocation, hardware interface registration, and subsystem binding. When such a sequence is interrupted by a failure at any stage, it is imperative that all resources acquired up to the point of failure are released to maintain system stability.
The technical flaw involves an incomplete cleanup routine within the error handling path of the module load function. Specifically, when the initialization fails, the kernel does not properly release two critical components: the SMBIOS request structure and the privacy driver instance. The SMBIOS (System Management BIOS) interface is used by the operating system to retrieve hardware inventory data from the firmware, while the privacy driver often handles sensitive input devices such as webcam shutters or microphone mute switches that require elevated privileges for secure operation. By failing to deallocate these resources upon a failed load attempt, the kernel retains references to allocated memory and potentially active device contexts without maintaining control over their lifecycle.
This resource leak contributes to gradual system degradation known as memory leakage. Although a single instance of this failure during module loading may seem negligible in terms of immediate impact on available RAM or file descriptors, repeated occurrences—such as those triggered by automated testing scripts, dynamic kernel module reloading, or frequent driver updates—can accumulate over time. In long-running server environments or systems with limited resources, such leaks can eventually lead to memory exhaustion, causing the system to invoke the Out-Of-Memory killer, which may terminate critical processes and result in service disruption or a complete system crash. Furthermore, leaving hardware interfaces like privacy drivers partially initialized without proper deregistration can leave security controls inactive or inconsistent, potentially exposing sensitive input streams if the module is subsequently reloaded incorrectly.
From a vulnerability classification perspective, this issue aligns with CWE-401, which describes missing release of memory after effective allocation, and more broadly falls under improper resource management practices that are often categorized within CWE-755 for improper handling of unusual or exceptional conditions. In the context of attack vectors, while this is not directly exploitable by an external attacker to gain unauthorized access in a typical scenario, it represents a reliability flaw that could be leveraged in denial-of-service attacks if an adversary can trigger repeated module load failures through privileged interactions with the system management interface. The ATT&CK framework would classify such behavior under techniques related to resource exhaustion or impact on availability, although its primary classification remains as a stability and correctness defect rather than a direct security breach.
To mitigate this vulnerability, developers must ensure that every allocation performed during the initialization sequence has a corresponding deallocation path in all error handling branches. This involves refactoring the module load function to use goto-based cleanup patterns or structured exception-like constructs common in kernel programming to guarantee that both the SMBIOS request structures and the privacy driver instances are properly released regardless of where the failure occurs. System administrators should apply the latest kernel updates provided by their distribution vendors, as these patches incorporate the corrected initialization logic. Regular auditing of kernel module loading scripts and monitoring system memory usage trends can also help in detecting any residual leakage issues before they escalate into significant operational problems.