📄 Description (English)
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
reset: gpio: suppress bind attributes in sysfs
This is a special device that's created dynamically and is supposed to
stay in memory forever. We also currently don't have a devlink between
it and the actual reset consumer. Suppress sysfs bind attributes so that
user-space can't unbind the device because - as of now - it will cause a
use-after-free splat from any user that puts the reset control handle.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-43138 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's GPIO reset driver that occurs when user-space unbinds dynamically created reset devices via sysfs. With a CVSS score of 7.8, this vulnerability could allow local attackers to trigger kernel crashes or potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability affects Linux systems where GPIO reset controls are utilized, particularly in embedded and IoT deployments common in Saudi infrastructure.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 13, 2026 02:34
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations operating embedded Linux systems and IoT devices, particularly in: (1) Energy sector (ARAMCO, SEC) — critical infrastructure using GPIO-based reset controls in SCADA/ICS systems; (2) Telecommunications (STC, Mobily, Zain) — network infrastructure and base stations utilizing embedded Linux; (3) Government agencies (NCA, CITC) — critical systems and smart city initiatives; (4) Healthcare — medical devices and hospital infrastructure running embedded Linux; (5) Banking/Financial institutions — ATMs and payment processing systems. Local privilege escalation could compromise system integrity and availability.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Energy (ARAMCO, SEC)
Telecommunications (STC, Mobily, Zain)
Government (NCA, CITC)
Healthcare
Banking/Financial Services
Critical Infrastructure
IoT/Embedded Systems
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1548 — Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism (local privilege escalation via sysfs)
T1068 — Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (kernel vulnerability exploitation)
T1529 — System Shutdown/Reboot (denial of service via kernel crash)
T1499 — Endpoint Denial of Service (resource exhaustion via use-after-free)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Identify all Linux systems running affected kernel versions in your infrastructure
2. Restrict local user access to sysfs bind/unbind attributes via AppArmor or SELinux policies
3. Disable user-space access to /sys/bus/*/drivers/*/unbind if not required
Patching Guidance:
1. Apply kernel patches that suppress sysfs bind attributes for GPIO reset devices
2. Update to patched kernel versions (specific versions depend on distribution)
3. For RHEL/CentOS: Apply security updates from Red Hat
4. For Ubuntu: Apply updates from Canonical security team
5. For embedded systems: Contact device manufacturer for firmware updates
Compensating Controls (if immediate patching unavailable):
1. Implement strict file system permissions: chmod 000 /sys/bus/platform/drivers/gpio-reset/unbind
2. Use SELinux or AppArmor to prevent user-space unbind operations
3. Monitor sysfs access attempts via auditd: auditctl -w /sys/bus/platform/drivers/ -p wa -k gpio_reset_monitor
4. Restrict local user shell access where possible
Detection Rules:
1. Monitor for sysfs write attempts to unbind paths: grep -r 'unbind' /sys/bus/*/drivers/*/
2. Audit kernel oops/panic logs for use-after-free signatures
3. Alert on: echo '*' > /sys/bus/*/drivers/*/unbind commands
4. Monitor dmesg for: 'use-after-free' and 'gpio' keywords simultaneously
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع أنظمة Linux التي تعمل بإصدارات النواة المتأثرة في البنية التحتية الخاصة بك
2. تقييد وصول المستخدمين المحليين إلى سمات ربط/فصل sysfs عبر سياسات AppArmor أو SELinux
3. تعطيل وصول مساحة المستخدم إلى /sys/bus/*/drivers/*/unbind إذا لم تكن مطلوبة
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. تطبيق تصحيحات النواة التي تقمع سمات ربط sysfs لأجهزة إعادة تعيين GPIO
2. التحديث إلى إصدارات النواة المصححة (الإصدارات المحددة تعتمد على التوزيع)
3. لـ RHEL/CentOS: تطبيق التحديثات الأمنية من Red Hat
4. لـ Ubuntu: تطبيق التحديثات من فريق الأمان في Canonical
5. للأنظمة المدمجة: الاتصال بمصنع الجهاز للحصول على تحديثات البرامج الثابتة
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري متاحاً):
1. تطبيق أذونات نظام الملفات الصارمة: chmod 000 /sys/bus/platform/drivers/gpio-reset/unbind
2. استخدام SELinux أو AppArmor لمنع عمليات فصل مساحة المستخدم
3. مراقبة محاولات وصول sysfs عبر auditd: auditctl -w /sys/bus/platform/drivers/ -p wa -k gpio_reset_monitor
4. تقييد وصول shell للمستخدمين المحليين حيث أمكن
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة محاولات كتابة sysfs إلى مسارات الفصل: grep -r 'unbind' /sys/bus/*/drivers/*/
2. تدقيق سجلات kernel oops/panic للتوقيعات use-after-free
3. التنبيه على: echo '*' > /sys/bus/*/drivers/*/unbind commands
4. مراقبة dmesg للكلمات الرئيسية: 'use-after-free' و 'gpio' معاً
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 — Access Control Policies (restrict sysfs unbind access)
ECC 2024 A.8.1.1 — User Endpoint Devices (embedded Linux systems)
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 — Management of Technical Vulnerabilities (kernel patching)
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 — System Change Management (kernel updates)
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.GV-1 — Organizational Context (critical infrastructure protection)
SAMA CSF PR.IP-12 — Software, Firmware, and Information Integrity (kernel patching)
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 — Detection Processes (monitoring sysfs access)
SAMA CSF RS.MI-2 — Incident Response (use-after-free detection)
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.15 — Access Control (restrict unbind operations)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 — Information Security Policies (kernel hardening)
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 — Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.1 — Change Management (patch deployment)
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 — Security Patches (kernel updates for payment systems)
PCI DSS 7.1 — Access Control (restrict local user privileges)
PCI DSS 10.2 — Logging and Monitoring (audit sysfs access)
🔗 References & Sources 4
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09d6efc6abd42809956d598906c222ccd1c8ae92
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/16de4c6a8fe9ff497ca1aba33ef0dbee09f11952
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1d7d869f074f98c34fe23f6a56e5f3acc1f95a2b
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
🔗
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/76801c3dfca0ac6339a23e9615b5f23e25b8644c
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
📦 Affected Products / CPE 3 entries
linux:linux_kernel
linux:linux_kernel
linux:linux_kernel