Linux Kernel up to 6.12.100/6.18.41/7.1.5/7.2-rc4 ALSA timer snd_timer_close_locked use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k1.07+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.100/6.18.41/7.1.5/7.2-rc4 and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects the function snd_timer_close_locked of the component ALSA timer. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-68201. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.100/6.18.41/7.1.5/7.2-rc4. It has been rated as very critical. Affected by this issue is the function snd_timer_close_locked of the component ALSA timer. 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. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: timer: drain a slave's callback before its master detaches it snd_timer_close_locked() drains the closing instance's own in-flight callback (IFLG_CALLBACK) before freeing it, but not its slaves'. When a master instance is closed, remove_slave_links() clears each slave's ->timer; the slave's own close then reads timer == NULL and takes the branch that skips the drain entirely (snd_timer_stop_slave() also no-ops on a NULL timer). So a slave whose callback is still running when the master is closed is freed underneath the live callback, leading to use-after-free. Drain the slaves too before remove_slave_links() severs them. snd_timer_stop() has already taken this instance off the active list, so no new slave callback can be queued. Take the slaves off the ack list so a pending one can't fire either, then wait for any that is already in flight.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-68201 since 07/30/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/10/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.101, 6.18.42, 7.1.6 or 7.2-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch cd461bcfcdf8d6b6b5365941c1d3859f8bc77aa0/426c0ff1c433d6030610ad4f9375746dfe931caa/2b298997786876b225cff2446e11a0fa6f602f6d/bdefe1346a8e6b8dc8593406dc2617e985fcbcab is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
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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: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.101/6.18.42/7.1.6/7.2-rc5
Patch: cd461bcfcdf8d6b6b5365941c1d3859f8bc77aa0/426c0ff1c433d6030610ad4f9375746dfe931caa/2b298997786876b225cff2446e11a0fa6f602f6d/bdefe1346a8e6b8dc8593406dc2617e985fcbcab

Timelineinfo

07/30/2026 CVE reserved
08/10/2026 +11 days Advisory disclosed
08/10/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/10/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-68201 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-68201
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-387566

Entryinfo

Created: 08/10/2026 16:15
Changes: 08/10/2026 16:15 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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