NFC ISO15693 Length Validation Flaw in Linux Kernel

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is in the Linux kernel's NFC (Near Field Communication) subsystem, specifically in the st21nfca driver. It involves improper validation of ISO15693 inventory length during NFC communication. The issue occurs when the code removes a two-byte prefix without checking its existence, then processes a one-byte remainder incorrectly. This can lead to reading uninitialized memory or incorrect data handling.

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Detection Guidance

This vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's NFC subsystem, specifically the st21nfca driver handling ISO15693 inventory. Detection requires checking kernel versions and NFC driver configurations. Use commands like 'uname -a' to verify kernel version and 'lsmod | grep st21nfca' to check if the vulnerable driver is loaded. Inspect kernel logs for NFC-related errors or crashes.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow an attacker with proximity to a vulnerable NFC device to cause a denial of service (system crash) or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. It may also lead to information disclosure if sensitive data is read from memory.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability does not directly impact compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or similar standards. It is a low-level kernel issue in NFC handling that could potentially lead to memory corruption or denial of service in affected systems. Compliance implications would depend on system-specific usage rather than the vulnerability itself.

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Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Linux kernel security patches that address CVE-2026-98578. Update the kernel to a version containing the fix for the ISO15693 inventory length validation issue in the st21nfca NFC driver.

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