In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: rtw88: Use devm_kmemdup() in rtw_set_supported_band(). This vulnerability allows a memory leak in rtw_register_hw() due to the failure to free the supported bands in the error path. The issue has been addressed by simplifying the code through the use of device managed memory allocations.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local, with a low attack complexity and low privileges required. The potential impact includes high availability impact, which means that the vulnerability could lead to service disruptions.
Risk to organizations includes potential service outages, especially if the vulnerability is exploited in environments where the Linux kernel is critical to operations. As the vulnerability is currently undergoing analysis, organizations should monitor the situation closely.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. The latest patches addressing this issue can be found in the Linux kernel updates.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows a memory leak within the Linux kernel, particularly in the wifi subsystem. The issue arises due to the failure to free the supported bands in the error handling path of the rtw_register_hw() function. The vulnerability has been documented in commit 145df52a8671.
The CVSS score of 5.5 indicates a medium severity level, highlighting that while the impact is significant, it is not as critical as higher-scoring vulnerabilities. The affected product is the Linux kernel, with all versions from 5.6 to below 6.12.75, 6.13 to below 6.18.16, and 6.19 to below 6.19.6 being vulnerable.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper handling of memory allocations within the Linux kernel's wifi subsystem. Specifically, it involves the failure to release memory allocated for supported bands in case of an error during the registration of hardware components.
The attack vector is local, indicating that an attacker would need to have local access to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, meaning that exploiting this flaw does not require advanced skills or resources. Privileges required are low, allowing any user with basic access to potentially exploit the vulnerability.
User interaction is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The impacts of the vulnerability are as follows: confidentiality impact is none, integrity impact is none, while availability impact is high due to the potential for service disruptions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2025-71273 is moderate. Organizations deploying the affected versions of the Linux kernel could experience service interruptions if the vulnerability is exploited. The urgency for organizations to patch should be assessed based on their specific deployment and reliance on the Linux kernel for critical operations.
Given the availability impact is rated high, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The blast radius could potentially affect any system utilizing the vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel, leading to widespread service disruptions.
The vulnerability is currently not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating that there is no confirmed active exploitation at this time. However, organizations should remain vigilant as the status could change.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel versions from 5.6 to below 6.12.75, 6.13 to below 6.18.16, and 6.19 to below 6.19.6. Organizations should ensure they are running versions of the Linux kernel that are not affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should patch their systems as per the latest Linux kernel updates that address this vulnerability. If a patch is unavailable, organizations may consider implementing configuration hardening and reviewing their network controls to mitigate the risk until the patch can be applied.
Additionally, organizations might want to engage in continuous security testing to identify and address similar vulnerabilities proactively. For comprehensive testing, organizations can utilize continuous penetration testing services tailored to their specific needs.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of abnormal behavior involving the wifi subsystem. Specific attention should be paid to logs related to hardware registration processes.
Behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal patterns, especially during hardware interactions, should also be flagged for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the ongoing need for secure memory management practices within the Linux kernel and similar systems. As vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-71273 emerge, they underline the importance of maintaining rigorous testing and validation processes.
Security teams should use this incident as a reminder to enhance their vulnerability management programs. By creating a robust vulnerability management program, teams can better identify, assess, and remediate vulnerabilities in their environments.
Moreover, adopting comprehensive security testing methodologies will help organizations stay ahead of potential threats. For insights into effective strategies, consider reviewing our penetration testing methodology guide.
Engaging in proactive security measures ensures that organizations are better equipped to handle future vulnerabilities and minimize their attack surface effectively.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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