Linux Kernel up to 7.2-rc5 i2c-imx i2c_imx_unreg_slave 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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8.4$0-$5k0.48

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.150/6.12.102/6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5. Affected by this issue is the function i2c_imx_unreg_slave of the component i2c-imx. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2026-74461. The attack needs to be launched locally. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.150/6.12.102/6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5 and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects the function i2c_imx_unreg_slave of the component i2c-imx. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: i2c: imx: Cancel hrtimer before clearing slave pointer In i2c_imx_unreg_slave(), the slave pointer is set to NULL after disabling interrupts. However, a pending interrupt might already have started the hrtimer (i2c_imx_slave_timeout) before the pointer was cleared. If the hrtimer fires after i2c_imx->slave is set to NULL, the timer callback i2c_imx_slave_finish_op() will call i2c_imx_slave_event() with a NULL slave pointer, which results in a use-after-free / NULL pointer dereference. Fix by canceling the hrtimer and waiting for it to complete after disabling interrupts, before clearing the slave pointer.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-74461 since 08/15/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.6.151, 6.12.103, 6.18.44, 7.1.8 or 7.2-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch a8a1f9ac3d763e721586f15479ef9140b216ddf3/753060f2b77ff2f386addbd3ecadb95b9f90cddd/affd62f5719a78135b7441aa49c8cab3c3b5e838/dab4762ee7f3fd0a01980d5407ba48d0261d3bff/6ac7702b6cc2b94aaed9ef2d95bfbefcdc90061f is able to eliminate this problem.

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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: 8.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.4

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 8.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

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: No

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 6.6.151/6.12.103/6.18.44/7.1.8/7.2-rc6
Patch: a8a1f9ac3d763e721586f15479ef9140b216ddf3/753060f2b77ff2f386addbd3ecadb95b9f90cddd/affd62f5719a78135b7441aa49c8cab3c3b5e838/dab4762ee7f3fd0a01980d5407ba48d0261d3bff/6ac7702b6cc2b94aaed9ef2d95bfbefcdc90061f

Timelineinfo

08/15/2026 Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-74461 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-74461
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390820

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 15:26
Changes: 08/15/2026 15:26 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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