Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5 pinctrl pinctrl_generic_to_map allocation of resources

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5. Impacted is the function pinctrl_generic_to_map of the component pinctrl. The manipulation leads to allocation of resources. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2026-90340. The attack can only be performed from a local environment. No exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5 and classified as very critical. This issue affects the function pinctrl_generic_to_map of the component pinctrl. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a allocation of resources vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-770. The product allocates a reusable resource or group of resources on behalf of an actor without imposing any restrictions on the size or number of resources that can be allocated, in violation of the intended security policy for that actor. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pinctrl: generic: free maps on pinctrl_generic_to_map() failure pinctrl_generic_to_map() parses DT configuration and allocates pinctrl maps via pinctrl_utils_reserve_map(). If subsequent steps (such as pinctrl_utils_add_map_mux(), pinctrl_generic_add_group(), pinconf_generic_parse_dt_config(), or pinctrl_utils_add_map_configs()) return an error, *maps may contain partially allocated map entries. Returning the error directly without freeing *maps leaks the allocated mapping memory across all drivers that rely on pinctrl_generic_to_map(). Fix this by calling pinctrl_utils_free_map() and resetting *maps, *num_maps, and *num_reserved_maps in the error path of pinctrl_generic_to_map().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-90340 since 09/11/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploitation requires an enhanced level of successful authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/17/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.2.6 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 09f47abc95ee9e819e7e93cd68c1c23abe11c842/17007cd700601777d9ee203a13d97e64ece3a10f is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 7.2.0
• 7.2.1
• 7.2.2
• 7.2.3
• 7.2.4
• 7.2.5

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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