Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.67/6.18.7/6.19-rc6 usb-audio snd_usb_mixer_free use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.67/6.18.7/6.19-rc6. The affected element is the function snd_usb_mixer_free of the component usb-audio. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-23089. There is no exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.121/6.12.67/6.18.7/6.19-rc6. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function snd_usb_mixer_free of the component usb-audio. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: usb-audio: Fix use-after-free in snd_usb_mixer_free() When snd_usb_create_mixer() fails, snd_usb_mixer_free() frees mixer->id_elems but the controls already added to the card still reference the freed memory. Later when snd_card_register() runs, the OSS mixer layer calls their callbacks and hits a use-after-free read. Call trace: get_ctl_value+0x63f/0x820 sound/usb/mixer.c:411 get_min_max_with_quirks.isra.0+0x240/0x1f40 sound/usb/mixer.c:1241 mixer_ctl_feature_info+0x26b/0x490 sound/usb/mixer.c:1381 snd_mixer_oss_build_test+0x174/0x3a0 sound/core/oss/mixer_oss.c:887 ... snd_card_register+0x4ed/0x6d0 sound/core/init.c:923 usb_audio_probe+0x5ef/0x2a90 sound/usb/card.c:1025 Fix by calling snd_ctl_remove() for all mixer controls before freeing id_elems. We save the next pointer first because snd_ctl_remove() frees the current element.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-23089 since 01/13/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 05/03/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 297922 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23089), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.6.122, 6.12.68, 6.18.8 or 6.19-rc7 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 7bff0156d13f0ad9436e5178b979b063d59f572a/e6f103a22b08daf5df2f4aa158081840e5910963/dc1a5dd80af1ee1f29d8375b12dd7625f6294dad/930e69757b74c3ae083b0c3c7419bfe7f0edc7b2 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (297922) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0324). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7

VulDB Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 297922
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23089

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.122/6.12.68/6.18.8/6.19-rc7
Patch: 7bff0156d13f0ad9436e5178b979b063d59f572a/e6f103a22b08daf5df2f4aa158081840e5910963/dc1a5dd80af1ee1f29d8375b12dd7625f6294dad/930e69757b74c3ae083b0c3c7419bfe7f0edc7b2

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
02/04/2026 +22 days Advisory disclosed
02/04/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/03/2026 +88 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23089 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23089
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-344339
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0324 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 02/04/2026 18:25
Updated: 05/03/2026 12:32
Changes: 02/04/2026 18:25 (59), 02/06/2026 08:31 (2), 03/17/2026 22:30 (12), 05/03/2026 12:32 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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