📄 Description (English)
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
usb: phy: isp1301: fix non-OF device reference imbalance
A recent change fixing a device reference leak in a UDC driver
introduced a potential use-after-free in the non-OF case as the
isp1301_get_client() helper only increases the reference count for the
returned I2C device in the OF case.
Increment the reference count also for non-OF so that the caller can
decrement it unconditionally.
Note that this is inherently racy just as using the returned I2C device
is since nothing is preventing the PHY driver from being unbound while
in use.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's USB PHY isp1301 driver affecting non-OF (Open Firmware) device configurations. The vulnerability stems from inconsistent reference counting between OF and non-OF code paths, potentially allowing memory corruption or system crashes. This affects embedded systems and IoT devices using isp1301 USB PHY controllers, particularly in Saudi Arabia's growing IoT and embedded systems deployments.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 28, 2026 07:51
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi organizations deploying embedded Linux systems and IoT devices, particularly in: (1) Telecommunications sector (STC, Mobily) — affecting network infrastructure and IoT deployments; (2) Energy sector (ARAMCO, SEC) — impacting industrial control systems and IoT monitoring; (3) Healthcare institutions — affecting medical devices and monitoring systems using embedded Linux; (4) Government agencies (NCA, CITC) — impacting critical infrastructure and smart city initiatives; (5) Manufacturing and industrial automation sectors utilizing USB-connected PHY devices. The vulnerability could lead to system instability, denial of service, or potential privilege escalation in affected embedded systems.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Telecommunications (STC, Mobily, Zain)
Energy (ARAMCO, SEC)
Healthcare
Government (NCA, CITC)
Manufacturing and Industrial Automation
Smart City Infrastructure
IoT and Embedded Systems
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
6.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Identify all systems running Linux kernel versions with the isp1301 USB PHY driver, particularly non-OF configurations
2. Audit device inventory for embedded systems and IoT devices using isp1301 controllers
3. Implement network segmentation for affected IoT/embedded systems
Patching Guidance:
1. Apply the latest Linux kernel patch that increments reference count consistently for both OF and non-OF cases
2. Prioritize patching for production IoT and embedded systems
3. Test patches in staging environment before production deployment
4. Coordinate with device manufacturers for firmware updates if applicable
Compensating Controls:
1. Disable USB PHY functionality if not required
2. Implement strict access controls to affected devices
3. Monitor system logs for kernel panics or memory corruption indicators
4. Implement watchdog timers to detect and restart failed services
Detection Rules:
1. Monitor kernel logs for use-after-free warnings related to isp1301
2. Alert on unexpected system reboots or kernel panics on affected systems
3. Track USB device enumeration and disconnection events
4. Monitor for abnormal memory access patterns in PHY driver operations
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تعمل بإصدارات نواة Linux مع برنامج تشغيل USB PHY isp1301، خاصة تكوينات non-OF
2. تدقيق جرد الأجهزة للأنظمة المدمجة وأجهزة إنترنت الأشياء التي تستخدم متحكمات isp1301
3. تنفيذ تقسيم الشبكة للأنظمة المتأثرة بإنترنت الأشياء والأنظمة المدمجة
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. تطبيق أحدث تصحيح نواة Linux الذي يزيد عد المراجع بشكل متسق لكل من حالات OF و non-OF
2. إعطاء الأولوية لتصحيح أنظمة إنترنت الأشياء والأنظمة المدمجة الإنتاجية
3. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئة التجميع قبل نشرها في الإنتاج
4. التنسيق مع مصنعي الأجهزة للحصول على تحديثات البرامج الثابتة إن أمكن
الضوابط البديلة:
1. تعطيل وظيفة USB PHY إذا لم تكن مطلوبة
2. تنفيذ ضوابط وصول صارمة للأجهزة المتأثرة
3. مراقبة سجلات النظام للتحذيرات المتعلقة باستخدام-بعد-التحرير في isp1301
4. تنفيذ مؤقتات الحراسة لاكتشاف وإعادة تشغيل الخدمات الفاشلة
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة سجلات النواة للتحذيرات المتعلقة باستخدام-بعد-التحرير في isp1301
2. التنبيه على إعادة تشغيل النظام غير المتوقعة أو توقف النواة على الأنظمة المتأثرة
3. تتبع أحداث تعداد وقطع اتصال أجهزة USB
4. مراقبة أنماط الوصول إلى الذاكرة غير الطبيعية في عمليات برنامج تشغيل PHY
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 — Management of technical vulnerabilities in embedded systems
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 — Secure development and change management for kernel-level code
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 — Asset management and inventory of IoT/embedded devices
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.RA-1 — Asset identification and vulnerability management
SAMA CSF PR.PT-2 — Protective technology deployment for embedded systems
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 — Detection and monitoring of anomalous behavior
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 — Management of technical vulnerabilities
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.1 — Secure development and change management
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1.1 — Asset inventory and management
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 — Security patches and vulnerability management (if payment systems use affected devices)
🔗 References & Sources 6
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/03bbdaa4da8c6ea0c8431a5011db188a07822c8a
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/43e58abad6c08c5f0943594126ef4cd6559aac0b
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5d3df03f70547d4e3fc10ed4381c052eff51b157
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7501ecfe3e5202490c2d13dc7e181203601fcd69
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75c5d9bce072abbbc09b701a49869ac23c34a906
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b4b64fda4d30a83a7f00e92a0c8a1d47699609f3
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
linux:linux_kernel