CVE-2026-53202 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
accel/ivpu: Fix signed integer truncation in IPC receive
Fix potential buffer overflow where firmware-supplied data_size is cast to signed int before being used in min_t(). Large unsigned values (>= 0x80000000) become negative, causing unsigned wraparound and oversized memcpy operations that can overflow the stack buffer.
Change min_t(int, ...) to min() as both values are unsigned and can be handled by min() without explicit cast.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel represents a critical integer truncation flaw within the intel vpu driver component that can lead to arbitrary code execution through a buffer overflow condition. This issue affects the acceleration subsystem responsible for handling firmware communication through inter-process communication mechanisms. The flaw specifically manifests in how the driver processes incoming data from firmware, where unsigned values representing data sizes undergo inappropriate casting to signed integers before being utilized in memory operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a fundamental type conversion error within the IPC receive functionality of the ivpu acceleration driver. When firmware provides a data_size parameter that exceeds the maximum value representable by a signed 32-bit integer, specifically values greater than or equal to 0x80000000, the casting operation transforms these large unsigned values into negative signed integers. This conversion creates a dangerous scenario where the min_t() macro, designed for signed integer operations, processes these negative values and subsequently passes them to memcpy operations as oversized buffer sizes. The resulting unsigned wraparound causes the memory copy operations to reference memory locations far beyond the intended stack buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple buffer overflow conditions to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious firmware responses containing oversized data_size values that trigger the integer truncation behavior. The resulting memory corruption can overwrite adjacent stack variables, function return addresses, or other critical program state information, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and specifically manifests as a CWE-128, Wrap from Signed to Unsigned, within the broader context of memory safety issues in kernel space operations.
The mitigation strategy involves a straightforward but critical code modification that eliminates the problematic signed integer casting operation. By replacing the min_t(int, ...) function call with the generic min() macro, the driver can properly handle unsigned values without introducing the truncation vulnerability. This change ensures that both operands maintain their unsigned nature throughout the comparison and subsequent memory operations, preventing any potential wraparound scenarios that could lead to buffer overflows. The fix directly addresses the root cause by removing the implicit type conversion that enabled the attack vector while maintaining functional equivalence for legitimate use cases.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of careful type handling in kernel space programming and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where memory corruption vulnerabilities are leveraged to gain elevated privileges. The issue highlights common pitfalls in embedded system development where firmware communication protocols may not adequately validate data types before processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate kernel state through carefully crafted inputs. Organizations should prioritize applying this patch across all systems utilizing the intel vpu acceleration driver and implement monitoring for unusual firmware communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix represents a defensive programming best practice that emphasizes maintaining type integrity throughout kernel operations and avoiding implicit conversions that can introduce security vulnerabilities.