CVE-2026-53156 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nvmem: core: fix use-after-free bugs in error paths
Fix several instances of error paths in which we call __nvmem_device_put() - which may end up freeing the underlying memory and other resources - and then keep on using the nvmem structure. Always put the reference to the nvmem device as the last step before returning the error code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel represents a critical use-after-free condition within the nvmem subsystem that can lead to system instability and potential security exploitation. This issue specifically affects the core nvmem functionality responsible for managing non-volatile memory devices through a standardized interface. The flaw occurs during error handling paths where the kernel attempts to release resources while simultaneously continuing to reference freed memory structures, creating a dangerous scenario where subsequent operations may access deallocated memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper resource management within the nvmem device subsystem where the __nvmem_device_put() function is invoked prematurely in error conditions. This function serves to decrement reference counts and potentially free underlying memory allocations for nvmem devices, yet the code paths do not properly sequence these operations with subsequent usage of the nvmem structure itself. The flaw violates fundamental memory safety principles by allowing continued access to memory that may have been deallocated, creating opportunities for undefined behavior, system crashes, or potentially exploitable conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems relying on nvmem device management, particularly in embedded environments and server platforms where non-volatile memory configuration is critical. The use-after-free conditions can manifest as kernel oops, system panics, or more subtly as data corruption that may go unnoticed until system stability is compromised. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to achieve privilege escalation or denial-of-service conditions, especially when targeting systems that dynamically configure nvmem devices during runtime operations.
The mitigation strategy requires ensuring proper resource management ordering where reference counting operations are completed as the final step before error return in all code paths. This approach aligns with established security practices and follows the principle of least privilege in resource handling. The fix implements a systematic review of all error conditions within the nvmem subsystem to ensure that __nvmem_device_put() is called only after all references to the nvmem structure have been properly handled, preventing the scenario where freed memory continues to be accessed.
This vulnerability type corresponds to CWE-416 Use After Free, which is classified as a critical memory safety issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation through kernel-level vulnerabilities that can be leveraged to gain elevated system privileges. The nvmem subsystem's error handling paths represent a particularly dangerous attack surface since they operate at kernel level with direct hardware access capabilities, making proper resource management critical for overall system security and stability.