CVE-2026-53193: ALSA: timer: Forcibly close timer instances at closing

Published Jun 25, 2026
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ALSA: timer: Forcibly close timer instances at closing

When sndtimer object is freed via sndtimerfree() and still pending sndtimerinstance objects are assigned to the timer object, it tries to unlink all instances and just set NULL to each ti->timer, then releases the resources immediately. The problem is, however, when there are slave timer instances that are associated with a master instance linked to this timer: namely, those slave instances still point to the freed timer object although the master instance is unlinked, which may lead to user-after-free. The bug can be easily triggered particularly when a new userspace-driven timers (CONFIGSNDUTIMER) is involved, since it can create and delete the timer object via a simple file open/close, while the other applications may keep accessing to that timer.

This patch is an attempt to paper over the problem above: now instead of just unlinking, call sndtimercloselocked forcibly for each pending timer instance, so that all assigned slave timer instances are properly detached, too. Since sndtimerclose() might be called later by the driver that created that instance, the check of SNDRVTIMERIFLGDEAD is added at the beginning, too.

Affected Software

11 affected components
Linux Linux kernel (ALSA snd_timer)
Linux Linux kernel>=6.12<6.12.94
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.36
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<7.0.13
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc5
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc6
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc7

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch SNDRV_TIMER_IFLG_DEAD

Event History

Jun 25, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:39 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:39 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:16 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-53193?

CVE-2026-53193 has a risk rating of 51.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-53193?

To mitigate CVE-2026-53193, ensure you update your Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability is resolved.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-53193?

CVE-2026-53193 affects systems running the Linux kernel, particularly those utilizing the ALSA snd_timer functionality.

4

What is the impact of CVE-2026-53193?

The impact of CVE-2026-53193 can lead to potential instability in applications relying on the ALSA timer functions.

5

When was CVE-2026-53193 published?

CVE-2026-53193 was published on June 25, 2026.

Contact

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