CVE-2026-98054
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ASoC: Intel: avs: Fix unbalanced module reference count
strace_open() invokes try_module_get() which on success takes the module reference. If any follow up operation causes strace_open() to fail, the refcount shall be put down.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2026
The Linux kernel's Advanced System Controller (ASoC) Intel Audio Video Subsystem driver contains a resource management flaw within its tracing infrastructure that results in an unbalanced module reference count. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of module lifecycle references during the initialization phase of trace operations. Specifically, the strace_open function is responsible for opening a trace context and involves acquiring a reference to the underlying kernel module via try_module_get. While this mechanism correctly increments the reference counter upon successful acquisition, it fails to implement corresponding cleanup logic in error paths where subsequent validation or setup steps fail.
In standard Linux kernel programming practices, any operation that successfully calls try_module_get must be paired with a matching call to put_module when the resource is no longer needed or if an error occurs after the increment. The identified flaw indicates that while the reference count is incremented at the start of strace_open, there are conditional branches within this function where execution returns early due to failures in downstream operations without invoking module_put. This creates a scenario where the kernel retains a persistent hold on the driver module even though the trace session was never successfully established or has been aborted prematurely.
The operational impact of an unbalanced reference count is primarily related to resource leakage and potential system stability issues over time. Although this specific flaw does not directly lead to privilege escalation or remote code execution, it contributes to a gradual accumulation of unreleased module references if the affected function is triggered repeatedly under certain conditions. Over extended periods or in high-frequency tracing scenarios, this can prevent the kernel from unloading the driver module even when no active users remain, effectively locking resources and potentially interfering with system updates or driver reconfigurations. In extreme cases involving other concurrent memory management issues, such reference leaks could contribute to broader resource exhaustion vulnerabilities.
From a classification perspective, this issue aligns with CWE-401, which describes the failure to release a resource after it has been successfully acquired. This type of error is common in systems programming where manual reference counting is required and developers may overlook edge cases or error handling paths during code implementation. The vulnerability represents a logic error rather than an input validation flaw, highlighting the importance of comprehensive testing that covers not only successful execution flows but also all potential failure modes within complex kernel subsystems like audio drivers.
Mitigation for this vulnerability involves applying the upstream Linux kernel patch that corrects the reference counting logic in strace_open. System administrators should ensure their systems are updated with the latest stable kernel versions that include this fix. For organizations running custom or older kernels, backporting the specific change to add module_put calls on all error exit paths within the affected function is necessary. Additionally, developers working on similar subsystems should adopt static analysis tools and rigorous code review processes focused on resource management patterns to detect such imbalances before they reach production environments. Adhering strictly to kernel coding standards regarding reference counting ensures that every increment has a corresponding decrement in all possible execution paths.