CVE-2026-31584: media: mediatek: vcodec: fix use-after-free in encoder release path
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: mediatek: vcodec: fix use-after-free in encoder release path
The fopsvcodecrelease() function frees the context structure (ctx) without first cancelling any pending or running work in ctx->encodework. This creates a race window where the workqueue handler (mtkvencworker) may still be accessing the context memory after it has been freed.
Race condition:
CPU 0 (release path) CPU 1 (workqueue) --------------------- ------------------ fopsvcodecrelease() v4l2m2mctxrelease() v4l2m2mcanceljob() // waits for m2m job "done" mtkvencworker() v4l2m2mjobfinish() // m2m job "done" // BUT worker still running! // post-jobfinish access: other ctx dereferences // UAF if ctx already freed // returns (job "done") kfree(ctx) // ctx freed
Root cause: The v4l2m2mctxrelease() only waits for the m2m job lifecycle (via TRANSRUNNING flag), not the workqueue lifecycle. After v4l2m2mjobfinish() is called, the m2m framework considers the job complete and v4l2m2mctxrelease() returns, but the worker function continues executing and may still access ctx.
The work is queued during encode operations via: queuework(ctx->dev->encodeworkqueue, &ctx->encodework) The worker function accesses ctx->m2mctx, ctx->dev, and other ctx fields even after calling v4l2m2mjobfinish().
This vulnerability was confirmed with KASAN by running an instrumented test module that widens the post-jobfinish race window. KASAN detected:
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in mtkvencworker+0x159/0x180 Read of size 4 at addr ffff88800326e000 by task kworker/u8:0/12
Workqueue: mtkvcodecencwq mtkvencworker
Allocated by task 47: kasankmalloc+0x7f/0x90 fopsvcodecopen+0x85/0x1a0
Freed by task 47: kasanslabfree+0x43/0x70 kfree+0xee/0x3a0 fopsvcodecrelease+0xb7/0x190
Fix this by calling cancelworksync(&ctx->encodework) before kfree(ctx). This ensures the workqueue handler is both cancelled (if pending) and synchronized (waits for any running handler to complete) before the context is freed.
Placement rationale: The fix is placed after v4l2ctrlhandlerfree() and before listdelinit(&ctx->list). At this point, all m2m operations are done (v4l2m2mctxrelease() has returned), and we need to ensure the workqueue is synchronized before removing ctx from the list and freeing it.
Note: The open error path does NOT need cancelworksync() because INITWORK() only initializes the work structure - it does not schedule it. Work is only scheduled later during devicerun() operations.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Configuration
In the vcodec encoder release path (after v4l2_m2m_job_finish()/in v4l2_m2m_ctx_release flow), call cancel_work_sync(&ctx->encode_work) before kfree(ctx) to prevent the mtk_venc_worker workqueue handler from accessing ctx after it is freed.
Linux kernel (media: mediatek: vcodec) Call cancel_work_sync(&ctx->encode_work) before freeing ctx in the encoder release path = Perform cancel_work_sync(&ctx->encode_work)
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-31584?
CVE-2026-31584 has been classified with a high severity due to potential exploitation leading to use-after-free vulnerabilities.
How do I fix CVE-2026-31584?
To fix CVE-2026-31584, users should update to the latest version of the Linux kernel that contains the patch for this vulnerability.
Which versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2026-31584?
CVE-2026-31584 affects various versions of the Linux kernel, specifically those versions prior to 6.6.136 and between 6.12 and 6.19.
What component of the Linux kernel does CVE-2026-31584 affect?
CVE-2026-31584 specifically affects the media: mediatek vcodec component of the Linux kernel.
Can CVE-2026-31584 lead to system crashes?
Yes, CVE-2026-31584 can potentially lead to system instability or crashes due to the nature of the use-after-free vulnerability.