CVE-2026-72142: i2c: imx: fix locked bus on SMBus block-read of 0 (atomic)

Published Aug 15, 2026
·
Updated

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

i2c: imx: fix locked bus on SMBus block-read of 0 (atomic)

SMBus 3.1 6.5.7 allows a Block Read byte count of 0, but the atomic (polling) path rejects it as -EPROTO. Worse, it returns without a NACK+STOP: the next receive cycle has already started, so the target keeps holding SDA and the bus stays stuck until a power cycle for this i2c controller.

Reading I2DR to obtain the count likewise arms the next byte on the count > I2CSMBUSBLOCKMAX path, which also returned -EPROTO directly and left the bus held.

Handle both: NACK the in-flight dummy byte (TXAK) and extend msgs->len so the existing last-byte handling emits STOP; the dummy byte is discarded. A count of 0 is a valid empty block read; a count above I2CSMBUSBLOCKMAX is still reported as -EPROTO, but only after the bus has been released.

The interrupt-driven path has the same flaw from a later commit and is fixed separately, as it carries a different Fixes: tag and stable range.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Linux Linux kernel>=6.5.7<=6.5.7

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel i2c: imx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch NACK+STOP: the next receive cycle has already started, so the target
  2. Compensating control

    If affected by the locked SDA/bus-stuck behavior on SMBus block-read of 0, treat the issue as requiring a power cycle to recover the I2C controller until patched.

Event History

Aug 15, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:53 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:53 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:21 AM
Description
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-72142?

CVE-2026-72142 has a risk severity rating of 20.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-72142?

To fix CVE-2026-72142, ensure you update to the latest Linux kernel where the vulnerability has been addressed.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72142?

CVE-2026-72142 affects systems running the Linux kernel that utilize the SMBus protocol.

4

What could happen if I don't address CVE-2026-72142?

Neglecting to address CVE-2026-72142 could lead to a locked bus state during SMBus operations, impacting system performance.

5

Is there a workaround for CVE-2026-72142?

Currently, there are no known workarounds for CVE-2026-72142 other than applying the patch provided in kernel updates.

Contact

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