CVE-2026-53193: ALSA: timer: Forcibly close timer instances at closing
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
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Patch SNDRV_TIMER_IFLG_DEAD
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-53193?
CVE-2026-53193 has a risk rating of 51.
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.
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.
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.
When was CVE-2026-53193 published?
CVE-2026-53193 was published on June 25, 2026.