CVE-2026-53376 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/19/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amdkfd: Add upper bound check for num_of_nodes
drm/amdkfd: Add upper bound check for num_of_nodes in kfd_ioctl_get_process_apertures_new.
(cherry picked from commit 98ff46a5ea090c14d2cdb4f5b993b05d74f3949f)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2026
This vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel's graphics driver subsystem, specifically in the amdkfd module responsible for managing AMD GPU compute operations. The issue manifests as a missing upper bound check during the processing of ioctl commands related to GPU aperture management. When the kfd_ioctl_get_process_apertures_new function handles requests from user-space applications, it fails to validate that the num_of_nodes parameter remains within acceptable limits, creating a potential buffer overflow or memory corruption scenario.
The technical flaw represents a classic input validation vulnerability where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious or malformed input to bypass safety mechanisms. This particular weakness falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, though it manifests more specifically as inadequate parameter validation within kernel-level driver interfaces. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially manipulate the num_of_nodes value to exceed allocated memory boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior including system crashes, privilege escalation, or memory corruption that could be exploited for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across systems utilizing AMD GPU compute capabilities through the kernel's KFD (Kernel Mode Function Dispatch) interface. Systems running affected kernel versions become susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors who could craft specially crafted ioctl requests to trigger the buffer overflow condition. This affects enterprise environments, cloud computing platforms, and any infrastructure relying on AMD GPU acceleration where user-space applications might interact with kernel driver interfaces. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within kernel space, meaning successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise or privilege escalation from user-level processes to kernel-level privileges.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying the upstream fix through kernel updates that implement proper upper bound validation for the num_of_nodes parameter in the affected function. System administrators must ensure all AMD GPU-enabled systems receive immediate kernel patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation at multiple layers, monitoring for anomalous ioctl patterns, and employing kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by preventing local privilege escalation through kernel exploitation, while also supporting defensive measures against T1543 which involves legitimate credentials misuse in kernel contexts. Organizations should prioritize patch management to ensure all systems running affected kernel versions are updated promptly to prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific validation gap in the AMD GPU driver subsystem.