Linux kernel 6.12.56 released
Linux kernel 6.12.56 has been released with a multitude of updates and fixes that aim to enhance the overall stability and performance of the operating system. One notable patch addresses a vulnerability in the ksmbd module's handle_response() function, which allowed potential out-of-bounds memory reads due to malformed messages from ksmbd.mountd. To mitigate this issue, the payload size is now validated before attempting to dereference it, effectively safeguarding the initial handle read.
In another significant development, a commit by Darrick J. Wong has rectified warnings related to deprecated mount options for the xfs filesystem. Previously, the kernel failed to provide adequate warnings about the use of the 'attr2' mount option if the root filesystem was the only XFS on the system. This patch ensures that a warning is consistently issued, thereby improving user awareness and minimizing potential issues.
The behavior of the copy_highpage() function for the ARM64 architecture has also been modified by Catalin Marinas to address a long-standing issue. Under certain conditions, the function would produce needless warnings even when the destination page had already received tags. To resolve this problem, the code has been updated to replace these warnings with comments, thereby enhancing clarity without causing false alarms.
Furthermore, Maarten Lankhorst's update to the devcoredump subsystem has resolved a critical circular locking dependency issue identified by lockdep. This change is vital in preventing potential deadlocks that could occur during operations involving device core dumps. The introduction of this patch has been marked with commit ID 1a1b13ef21cb1741bdaff471ae265c3edcff91cf.
In addition to these significant updates, other patches have addressed various inefficiencies and issues within the kernel. The removal of unnecessary feature-enabling commands in the sc16is7xx serial driver has improved baud rate changes, while modifications to the 8250_mtk serial driver have enhanced its ability to manage clock enabling during power management operations.
Lastly, support for an Advantech 2-port serial card utilizing the XR17V35X chip has been added to the kernel. This update allows the card to be recognized by the kernel driver, significantly enhancing its functionality and usability.
In conclusion, these patches have collectively contributed to increased stability and performance enhancements for the Linux kernel. By addressing vulnerabilities, resolving critical issues, and improving existing functionalities, version 6.12.56 represents a substantial step forward in the development of this widely used operating system.
Linux kernel 6.12.56 released
Linux kernel version 6.12.56 is now available:
Full source: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.12.56.tar.xz
Patch: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/patch-6.12.56.xz
PGP Signature: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.12.56.tar.sign
You can view the summary of the changes at the following URL:
https://git.kernel.org/stable/ds/v6.12.56/v6.12.55
