CVE-2026-64498 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/25/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
iio: buffer: hw-consumer: free scan_mask on buffer release
The scan_mask lifetime changed in commit 9a2e1233d38c ("iio: buffer: hw-consumer: remove redundant scan_mask flexible array").
Before that change, the scan mask storage was embedded in struct hw_consumer_buffer, so iio_hw_buf_release() could free the whole allocation with a single kfree(hw_buf).
That commit moved the scan mask to a separate bitmap_zalloc() allocation stored in buffer.scan_mask, but left iio_hw_buf_release() unchanged.
Free the scan mask in iio_hw_buf_release() before freeing the buffer wrapper.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2026
The vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel's industrial I/O subsystem, specifically affecting the hardware consumer buffer management functionality. This issue stems from a flawed memory management approach that emerged following a previous code modification. The problem manifests when the system attempts to release hardware consumer buffers, creating a potential memory corruption scenario due to improper deallocation sequences.
The technical flaw originates from a code change in commit 9a2e1233d38c which altered how scan mask data is stored within the buffer structure. Prior to this modification, the scan mask was embedded directly within the struct hw_consumer_buffer allocation, allowing the iio_hw_buf_release() function to cleanly free all associated memory with a single kfree(hw_buf) operation. The refactoring moved the scan mask to a separate bitmap_zalloc() allocation stored in buffer.scan_mask while leaving the release function unchanged, creating a memory management gap where the scan mask allocation persists beyond the buffer wrapper's lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to systems utilizing industrial I/O subsystems that manage hardware consumer buffers, particularly those implementing buffer-based data acquisition processes. When buffer release operations occur, the system experiences improper memory deallocation sequences that can lead to memory corruption, potential denial of service conditions, or even arbitrary code execution in extreme cases. The vulnerability affects devices that rely on IIO buffer management for sensor data processing and real-time data collection scenarios.
This issue aligns with CWE-415: Double Free and CWE-416: Use After Free categories within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing memory safety problems that can be exploited through improper resource management. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python within the attack lifecycle, as malicious actors could potentially leverage such memory corruption for privilege escalation or system compromise. The flaw demonstrates poor resource lifecycle management practices that violate fundamental security principles of proper memory allocation and deallocation sequences.
Mitigation strategies should focus on ensuring the scan_mask is properly freed before the buffer wrapper in the iio_hw_buf_release() function, implementing proper memory management sequences consistent with the updated data structure layout. System administrators should apply kernel patches addressing this specific memory deallocation issue and maintain regular kernel updates to prevent exploitation of similar memory safety vulnerabilities. The fix requires careful coordination with existing IIO subsystem components to ensure backward compatibility while maintaining security integrity.