Memory Leak in Linux Kernel IOSM WWAN Driver

Executive Summary

This is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's wwan subsystem, specifically in the iosm driver. When initializing the IPC memory (ipc_imem_init), allocated memory in ipc_protocol_init is not properly freed if an error occurs later in the process. The fix ensures the corresponding release function (ipc_protocol_deinit) is called on error paths to prevent memory leaks.

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Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's wwan iosm driver and involves memory leaks in the ipc_imem_init() function. Detection requires checking for memory leaks in the kernel logs or using tools like 'dmesg' or 'sar' to monitor memory usage patterns.

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Impact Analysis

Memory leaks can gradually consume system memory, leading to performance degradation, crashes, or instability in affected systems. If exploited, it could cause denial-of-service conditions or unexpected behavior in network-related operations on Linux systems using the iosm driver.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability involves potential memory leaks in the Linux kernel's wwan subsystem, specifically in the ipc_imem_init() function. Memory leaks can lead to resource exhaustion, which may cause system instability or crashes. While not directly related to data privacy, such issues could indirectly impact compliance by affecting system availability and integrity, which are aspects covered under standards like GDPR and HIPAA.

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Mitigation Strategies

Update your Linux kernel to the latest version that includes the fix for CVE-2026-64179. If immediate patching is not possible, consider disabling the iosm wwan driver if it is not in use to reduce exposure.

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