CVE-2026-72048: ieee802154: ca8210: fix cas_ctl leak on spi_async failure
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ieee802154: ca8210: fix casctl leak on spiasync failure
ca8210spitransfer() allocates casctl with kzallocobj(GFPATOMIC) and relies entirely on the SPI completion callback ca8210spitransfercomplete() to free it.
The spiasync() API only invokes the completion callback on successful submission. On failure it returns a negative error code without ever queuing the callback, which leaves casctl and its embedded spimessage and spitransfer orphaned. Every kfree(casctl) in the driver is inside the completion callback, so there is no other reclamation path.
ca8210spitransfer() is called from ca8210spiexchange(), the interrupt handler ca8210interrupthandler(), and from the retry path inside the completion callback itself. The exchange and interrupt handler paths loop on -EBUSY, so under sustained SPI bus contention every retry iteration leaks a fresh casctl (~600 bytes per occurrence).
Fix it by freeing casctl on the spiasync() error path. While here, correct the misleading error string: the function calls spiasync(), not spisync().
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Operational
In ieee802154: ca8210 driver code, modify the error handling for spi_async() so that when spi_async() fails (negative error code on the spi_async() error path), you free cas_ctl that was allocated by ca8210_spi_transfer() with kzalloc_obj(GFP_ATOMIC), instead of relying on the spi completion callback (which is only invoked on successful spi_async()).
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-72048?
CVE-2026-72048 has a risk score of 17.
How do I fix CVE-2026-72048?
To fix CVE-2026-72048, update to the latest version of the Linux kernel that includes the patch for this vulnerability.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72048?
CVE-2026-72048 affects systems running the Linux kernel with the ieee802154: ca8210 module.
What does CVE-2026-72048 involve?
CVE-2026-72048 involves a cas_ctl memory leak issue that occurs on spi_async failure in the Linux kernel.
What is the impact of CVE-2026-72048?
The impact of CVE-2026-72048 can lead to memory leaks affecting system performance and stability.