CVE-2026-53291 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ALSA: hda/conexant: Fix missing error check for jack detection
In cx_probe(), the return value of snd_hda_jack_detect_enable_callback() is ignored. This function returns a pointer, and if it fails (e.g., due to memory allocation failure), it returns an error pointer which must be checked using IS_ERR().
If the registration fails, the driver continues to probe, but the jack detection callback will not be registered. This can lead to a kernel crash later when the driver attempts to handle jack events or accesses the uninitialized structure.
Check the return value using IS_ERR() and propagate the error via PTR_ERR() to the probe caller.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2026
This vulnerability exists within the Linux kernel's Advanced Linux Sound Architecture implementation specifically affecting the hda/conexant driver component. The issue stems from inadequate error handling during the jack detection initialization process, creating a potential pathway for system instability and crash conditions. The problem manifests in the cx_probe() function where critical error checking is omitted, leaving the driver in an inconsistent state.
The technical flaw involves the improper handling of snd_hda_jack_detect_enable_callback() return value which can indicate failure conditions through error pointers rather than successful pointer returns. When memory allocation fails or other initialization issues occur during jack detection callback registration, this function returns an error pointer that must be explicitly validated using IS_ERR() macro checks. The absence of such validation allows the driver to proceed with incomplete initialization, establishing a dangerous operational state where subsequent jack event handling attempts can trigger kernel panics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple functional degradation to potentially catastrophic system crashes during normal operation. When the driver continues probing without proper error handling, it maintains an uninitialized or partially initialized jack detection structure that may be accessed later during runtime operations. This creates a race condition where the kernel's audio subsystem becomes unstable and susceptible to memory access violations when attempting to process jack insertion or removal events.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-252 Weakness in Error Handling, specifically addressing insufficient error checking in critical system components. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation as it represents an opportunity for attackers to leverage kernel-level instability. The improper error handling creates a denial of service condition that can be exploited to cause system crashes, potentially leading to more severe consequences in embedded systems or server environments where audio subsystem stability is critical.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive error checking throughout the driver initialization sequence. The fix requires adding IS_ERR() validation immediately after snd_hda_jack_detect_enable_callback() invocation and propagating errors appropriately using PTR_ERR() to ensure that probe failures are properly reported to the calling kernel subsystem. Additionally, proper error propagation prevents the driver from continuing execution with incomplete initialization states, thereby maintaining system stability and preventing potential exploitation scenarios that could leverage this uninitialized state for more advanced attack vectors.