Some native subsystems and drivers are using libc/userspace heap.

[iabdalkader]

Summary

Some native Zephyr subsystems and drivers use malloc instead of the kernel heap, as they should. This is not only inconsistent with other subsystems and drivers, but also problematic because:
a) It may introduce a security risk, since libc heap memory is user-accessible
b) Those allocations can fail if CONFIG_COMMON_LIBC_MALLOC_ARENA_SIZE=0.

For example, the following should probably use k_malloc:

Subsystem:

zephyr/subsys/sensing/sensor_mgmt.c

Line 356 in ad867a1

tmp_conn = malloc(sizeof(*tmp_conn));

zephyr/subsys/mgmt/mcumgr/grp/settings_mgmt/src/settings_mgmt.c

Line 78 in ad867a1

key_name = (char *)malloc(key.len + 1);

Drivers:

zephyr/drivers/i3c/i3c_common.c

Line 1297 in ad867a1

deftgts = malloc(data_len);

zephyr/drivers/eeprom/eeprom_simulator_native.c

Line 42 in ad867a1

*mock_eeprom = (char *)malloc(size);

lib:

zephyr/lib/posix/options/net.c

Line 141 in ad867a1

ni = malloc((n + 1) * sizeof(*ni));

I was going to send fixes, but I thought I should raise an issue first, perhaps I'm missing something obvious, or there's a good reason those files are using malloc.

Describe the solution you'd like

Use kernel heap for Zephyr subsystems drivers.

Alternatives

No response

Additional Context

No response

[JarmouniA]

Honestly I would classify this as a bug.

[iabdalkader]

Honestly I would classify this as a bug.

I thought so too, but just wanted to be sure. I'll send fixes soon.