Overview
CVE-2025-40262 describes a memory corruption vulnerability discovered in the Linux kernel’s imx_sc_key module. The vulnerability arises from an incorrect parameter being passed to the imx_sc_key_action() function during the module’s unload process. A fix has been implemented to address this issue and prevent potential system instability or crashes.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from passing the address of a stack variable (&priv) instead of the variable itself (priv) to the imx_sc_key_action() function during the imx_sc_key module’s unload process. This means that the function was operating on memory that could be overwritten after the function returns, causing memory corruption. The correct behavior is to pass the priv variable directly, ensuring that the function manipulates the correct data.
The problematic code snippet (before the fix) incorrectly passed &priv. The fix removes the & symbol, ensuring the correct variable is passed.
CVSS Analysis
The CVE is marked as N/A, indicating that a CVSS score has not been assigned. This could be due to the specific nature of the vulnerability and the difficulty in assigning it a standardized score. However, the presence of a memory corruption issue suggests the potential for instability and unpredictable behavior.
Possible Impact
While the CVSS score is N/A, memory corruption vulnerabilities can lead to a range of issues, including:
- System instability
- Kernel crashes
- Unpredictable behavior
- Potential for exploitation (though likely difficult in this specific case, given the context of module unload)
The impact is likely limited to the specific system where the vulnerable module is loaded and unloaded. However, any kernel-level vulnerability should be addressed promptly.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The vulnerability has been resolved in the Linux kernel. Users should update their kernels to a version containing the fix. The fix involves removing the & symbol when passing the priv variable to the imx_sc_key_action() function.
To mitigate the vulnerability, apply the patch referenced in the “References” section to your kernel source code and rebuild the kernel. Alternatively, upgrade to a kernel version that already incorporates the patch.
