CVE-2026-23197
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's i2c-imx driver. A local attacker could exploit a vulnerability in the block data length handler. When an I2C block read returns an invalid length, the system enters an endless read loop, leading to buffer overruns and a system crash, resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS).
Statement
This is a MODERATE impact denial of service flaw in the Linux kernel's i2c-imx driver. A local attacker could trigger an endless read loop by providing an invalid I2C block data length, leading to a system crash. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, 7, 8, and 9 are not affected as the vulnerable code is not present. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 and Red Hat In-Vehicle OS are affected.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, if the `i2c-imx` kernel module is not essential for system operation, it can be prevented from loading. Create a file named `/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-i2c-imx.conf` with the content `blacklist i2c-imx`. After creating the file, regenerate the initramfs and reboot the system for the changes to take effect. This can be done using the commands: `dracut -f -v` followed by `reboot`. Be aware that blacklisting this module may impact functionality if I2C devices relying on the `i2c-imx` driver are in use.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6.3 | 5.5 | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | High | Low | N/A |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | None | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | N/A |
| Confidentiality | None | None | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | High | None | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | High | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory); DoS: Amplification
An infinite loop will cause unexpected consumption of resources, such as CPU cycles or memory. The software's operation may slow down, or cause a long time to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
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