CVE-2026-68443 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
hwmon: (gigabyte_waterforce) Stop device IO before calling hid_hw_stop
Calling hid_hw_stop() does not stop the device IO. This results in a race condition between hid_input_report() and the point immediately following the execution of hid_device_io_start() within the driver probe function. If the probe operation fails after "io start" has been initiated, this race condition will result in a UAF vulnerability.
Fix the problem by calling hid_device_io_stop() before calling hid_hw_stop().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2026
This vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel's hardware monitoring subsystem, specifically affecting the gigabyte_waterforce driver implementation. The issue manifests as a race condition that can lead to use-after-free conditions, representing a critical security flaw in the device handling mechanism. The vulnerability occurs during the driver probe function execution where proper synchronization between device input operations and cleanup procedures is lacking.
The technical flaw stems from improper sequence of device I/O management calls within the driver's probe function. When hid_hw_stop() is invoked without first stopping the device I/O through hid_device_io_stop(), the system enters a race condition state. This race condition specifically occurs between the hid_input_report() function and the subsequent code execution following hid_device_io_start() during driver initialization. The improper ordering allows for potential concurrent access to freed memory regions when the probe operation fails after I/O start has been initiated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple functional failure to encompass serious security implications. A malicious actor could potentially exploit this race condition to trigger use-after-free conditions, which may lead to privilege escalation or system instability. The vulnerability affects systems utilizing gigabyte waterforce hardware monitoring devices and represents a direct threat to kernel stability and security integrity.
This flaw aligns with CWE-416, which addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068 related to local privilege escalation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper resource management and synchronization in kernel drivers where concurrent access patterns can lead to memory corruption issues.
The fix implemented involves modifying the driver's probe function to call hid_device_io_stop() before invoking hid_hw_stop(). This ensures that all device input operations are properly terminated prior to the hardware stop procedure, eliminating the race condition window. The solution follows established best practices for kernel driver development where resource cleanup must occur in proper sequence to prevent concurrent access issues.
Security researchers should note that this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor ordering issues in kernel drivers can result in significant security implications. The fix represents a defensive programming approach that prevents potential exploitation by ensuring proper I/O management before hardware shutdown operations. This particular vulnerability underscores the critical nature of device driver security within kernel space environments where improper resource handling can lead to system compromise.
The remediation addresses fundamental synchronization requirements in Linux kernel hardware monitoring drivers and aligns with industry standards for secure kernel development practices. By enforcing proper sequence of I/O stop operations before hardware stop procedures, the fix prevents the conditions necessary for exploitation while maintaining functional integrity of the affected hardware monitoring capabilities.