CVE-2026-53316 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amd/ras: Fix NULL deref in ras_core_ras_interrupt_detected()
Fixes a NULL pointer dereference when ras_core is NULL and ras_core->dev is accessed in the error path.
Reported by: Dan Carpenter
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2026
The vulnerability resides within the AMD Radeon GPU driver component of the Linux kernel, specifically in the drm/amd/ras subsystem responsible for handling error reporting and recovery mechanisms. This issue manifests as a null pointer dereference condition that occurs during interrupt processing when the system attempts to access memory locations through a null reference. The flaw is particularly significant because it affects the error handling path of the RAS (Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability) subsystem which is critical for maintaining system stability under hardware error conditions.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper validation of the ras_core structure pointer before accessing its embedded dev member during error interrupt processing. When the driver encounters an interrupt notification indicating a hardware error, it follows a code path that assumes ras_core is properly initialized and non-null. However, under certain conditions such as premature cleanup or initialization failures, this assumption breaks down, causing the system to attempt memory access through a NULL pointer reference. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of null pointer dereference, which represents a fundamental programming error where code fails to properly check for null values before using pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or hangs, as it can compromise the reliability of GPU error handling mechanisms during critical system operations. When triggered, the NULL pointer dereference typically results in kernel oops messages, immediate system instability, and potential denial of service conditions that affect graphics rendering and compute workloads. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in server environments where GPU reliability is paramount for maintaining service availability and data integrity.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper null pointer validation within the interrupt handling code path before accessing any members of the ras_core structure. The fix requires adding explicit checks to verify that ras_core is not NULL before attempting to access ras_core->dev in error conditions. This approach aligns with the defensive programming principles recommended by industry standards and addresses the root cause without altering the fundamental architecture of the RAS subsystem. Additionally, implementing proper error handling patterns with early returns and comprehensive validation can prevent similar issues from occurring in other parts of the driver codebase. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error path testing and validation in kernel space code where improper handling can lead to system-wide instability and security implications.