CVE-2026-23170
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a resource leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DRM/iMX TVE driver where a reference to the DDC (Display Data Channel) device is not properly released during probe failure or driver unbind. This affects Linux systems using the i.MX platform with the DRM/iMX TVE driver. The vulnerability could lead to resource exhaustion over time.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with DRM/iMX TVE driver
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Sustained exploitation could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, denial of service, or potential kernel crashes.
Likely Case
Gradual resource leakage during repeated probe/unbind cycles, potentially leading to system performance degradation or driver failures.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper monitoring and system maintenance; resource leaks would be limited and detectable.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger the vulnerable code path through driver operations. No known public exploits.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the fix commits: 4aaff8f6ab38f81e00ab8aa1fcfb7eb20cd87ba1, 52755c5680ce333b33d0750a200fbc99420ed2b2, 77365382585b40559d63538d09e26e4b2af28fbc, 9a15d3fdc22d48f597792aee0cf1bf0947fc62e6, ca68745e820ecd210e3ab018497c9e6b69025c4b
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to a kernel version containing the fix commits. 2. Check with your distribution vendor for backported patches. 3. Reboot the system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable TVE driver if not needed
LinuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist imx_drm_tve' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod imx_drm_tve
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system memory and resource usage for unusual patterns
- Restrict local access to systems with i.MX hardware
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if the system uses i.MX hardware and has the TVE driver loaded: 'lsmod | grep imx_drm_tve' and check kernel versionCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits or check with distribution vendor for patch status📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- Memory allocation failures in kernel logs
- Driver probe/unbind errors
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local kernel issue
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel logs containing 'imx_drm_tve', 'DDC', or memory allocation failures🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4aaff8f6ab38f81e00ab8aa1fcfb7eb20cd87ba1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/52755c5680ce333b33d0750a200fbc99420ed2b2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/77365382585b40559d63538d09e26e4b2af28fbc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a15d3fdc22d48f597792aee0cf1bf0947fc62e6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ca68745e820ecd210e3ab018497c9e6b69025c4b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e535c23513c63f02f67e3e09e0787907029efeaf
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f212652982c6725986cfa42fbf10d1dfa92c010e
