CVE-2026-68200: ALSA: timer: don't re-enter an instance callback that is still running

Published Aug 10, 2026
·
Updated

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

ALSA: timer: don't re-enter an instance callback that is still running

The userspace-driven timer (utimer) TRIGGER ioctl calls sndtimerinterrupt() directly with no serialization, so two threads triggering the same utimer can run sndtimerinterrupt() on one sndtimer concurrently.

sndtimerprocesscallbacks() drops timer->lock around each instance callback and marks the in-flight callback with the single SNDRVTIMERIFLGCALLBACK bit; sndtimercloselocked() waits on that bit to drain an in-flight callback before freeing the instance. The bit cannot represent two concurrent callbacks: when a second interrupt re-queues an instance whose callback is still running, both run at once, the first to finish clears the bit, and the close-path drain then frees the instance (and its callbackdata) while the other callback is still live - a use-after-free reachable by any user able to open /dev/snd/timer, both via a user timer instance and via a sequencer queue timer bound to the utimer.

sndtimerinterrupt() sets IFLGCALLBACK before dropping timer->lock, so a concurrent interrupt already observes it under the lock. Skip re-queuing an instance (and its slaves) to the ack/sack list while its callback is in flight; the accumulated pticks are delivered on the next tick, so no event is lost.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Linux Kernel

Event History

Aug 10, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:00 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:20 PM
Description
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-68200?

CVE-2026-68200 has a risk score of 53, indicating a medium severity vulnerability.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-68200?

To fix CVE-2026-68200, update your Linux kernel to the patched version provided by your distribution.

3

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-68200?

CVE-2026-68200 is classified as a Use After Free vulnerability in the ALSA subsystem.

4

What impact does CVE-2026-68200 have on systems?

CVE-2026-68200 can allow concurrent threads to trigger a callback leading to potential system instability or crashes.

5

When was CVE-2026-68200 published?

CVE-2026-68200 was published on August 10, 2026.

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