CVE-2026-63933 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/19/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
iio: gyro: adis16260: fix division by zero in write_raw
Add a validation check for the sampling frequency value before using it as a divisor. A user writing zero to the sampling_frequency sysfs attribute triggers a division by zero in the kernel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2026
The vulnerability in question affects the Linux kernel's industrial I/O subsystem specifically within the adis16260 gyroscope driver where a division by zero error occurs when processing write_raw operations. This flaw exists in the kernel's handling of the sampling frequency sysfs attribute which is used to configure the gyroscope's data acquisition rate. The issue manifests when a user-space process writes a value of zero to the sampling_frequency attribute, causing the kernel code to attempt division by zero during the calculation of the appropriate register values for the hardware device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the driver's write_raw function which processes sysfs attribute modifications. When the sampling frequency value is set to zero, the kernel code proceeds to use this value as a divisor in mathematical calculations without first verifying that it is non-zero. This type of flaw falls under CWE-369: Divide by Zero, which represents a fundamental programming error where division operations are performed without proper validation of the divisor value. The vulnerability exists specifically within the iio subsystem's gyro driver module and impacts the adis16260 device family used for inertial measurement data collection in industrial and embedded systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can lead to kernel crashes and system instability when exploited by malicious or malformed user-space processes. The division by zero condition triggers a kernel oops or panic, potentially causing complete system shutdown or reboot depending on the kernel configuration and system state. This represents a denial-of-service vector that could be exploited in environments where untrusted users have access to sysfs interfaces or where automated processes might inadvertently set invalid sampling frequency values. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with the iio subsystem enabled and specifically those utilizing adis16260 gyroscopes, making it relevant across industrial automation, robotics, and embedded computing platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation within the kernel driver code to check for zero values before any division operations are performed. The fix requires adding a validation check that ensures the sampling frequency value is greater than zero before it is used as a divisor in calculations. This approach aligns with the defensive programming principles recommended by the ATT&CK framework for kernel-level security, specifically addressing techniques related to input validation and error handling in system components. System administrators should ensure their kernels are updated to versions containing this fix, while developers should implement similar validation checks in other drivers that handle user-provided numeric values that may be used in division operations. The solution demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in kernel space where invalid inputs can lead to catastrophic system failures rather than simple application-level errors.