CVE-2026-74442: drm/vmwgfx: avoid destroy_workqueue(NULL) on vkms init failure

Published Aug 15, 2026
·
Updated

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

drm/vmwgfx: avoid destroyworkqueue(NULL) on vkms init failure

Two paths through vmwvkmsinit() can leave vmw->crcworkq NULL while still leaving the rest of the driver in a state that calls vmwvkmscleanup() at module unload:

1. vmwhostgetguestinfo(GUESTINFOVBLANK, ...) failing or returning an oversized buffer -- the common case on hosts without a VBLANK guestinfo entry -- early-returned before the workqueue allocation. 2. allocorderedworkqueue() returning NULL on memory pressure.

vmwvkmscleanup() then calls destroyworkqueue(NULL), which dereferences wq->name and panics.

Fix the first case by removing the early return: vmw->vkmsenabled is already false on the rpci-failure path so no work will ever be queued, and allocating the workqueue unconditionally keeps the control flow simple. Fix the second case by guarding the cleanup with a NULL check, since allocorderedworkqueue() can still fail under low memory.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Linux Linux kernel

Event History

Aug 15, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:26 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:26 PM
Description
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-74442?

The severity of CVE-2026-74442 is rated at 27.

2

What does CVE-2026-74442 address?

CVE-2026-74442 addresses an issue in the Linux kernel where destroy_workqueue(NULL) can occur on vkms initialization failure.

3

How do I fix CVE-2026-74442?

To fix CVE-2026-74442, you should update to the patched version of the Linux kernel that resolves the vulnerability.

4

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2026-74442?

The potential impacts of CVE-2026-74442 may include instability in the driver due to improper cleanup during module unload.

5

Which software is affected by CVE-2026-74442?

CVE-2026-74442 affects the Linux kernel specifically related to the vmwgfx driver.

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