CVE-2026-98266: ALSA: core: Fix potential UAF after asynchronous card release
ALSA: core: Fix potential UAF after asynchronous card release
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
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debian/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.12.115-2Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1 - Upgrade
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debian/linux-6.12to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.12.113-1~deb12u1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscv-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42.1~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-awsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1016.17 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcpto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1016.18 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibmto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1017.17 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1017.17 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracleto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1015.16 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscvto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-42.42.1
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which systems are most likely to be exposed?
Systems using ALSA sound drivers that release cards asynchronously via snd_card_free_when_closed() are the relevant exposure case. The description specifically identifies the USB-audio driver as an example.
What condition is required for the use-after-free to occur?
A card must be disconnected and released asynchronously while in-flight tasks still access the underlying card->dev device. Although snd_card_disconnect() blocks newer accesses, it does not stop those already in progress.
How can I determine whether a kernel includes the fix?
Check whether the kernel contains the ALSA core change that takes a reference to card->dev when the card object is initialized and releases that reference in the card destructor. The provided stable references identify commits containing the fix.