Linux Kernel ACPICA acpi_ns_custom_package null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.2$0-$5k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel. Affected by this vulnerability is the function acpi_ns_custom_package of the component ACPICA. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-97446. The attack is restricted to local execution. No exploit exists. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel (the affected version unknown). It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function acpi_ns_custom_package of the component ACPICA. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ACPICA: Fix NULL pointer dereference in acpi_ns_custom_package() acpi_ns_custom_package() unconditionally dereferences the first element of the package to read the _BIX version number, without checking for NULL: if ((*Elements)->Common.Type != ACPI_TYPE_INTEGER) When firmware returns a _BIX package whose first element is an unresolvable reference, ACPICA evaluates that entry to NULL. acpi_ns_remove_null_elements() does not strip NULL entries for ACPI_PTYPE_CUSTOM packages (fixed-position format would break if elements were shifted), so acpi_ns_custom_package() sees the NULL and causes a crash. Add a NULL check for the first element (version field) before dereferencing it. The caller then receives AE_AML_OPERAND_TYPE instead of crashing.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-97446 since 09/24/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. Additional levels of successful authentication are required for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Applying the patch 3762c6c8ae5073892d7cec736cc54270c7c9ce90/3cbf096a478f4fa03953f0685ad28c9c82ce67cb/f8d14b7bb0063bbbd86c0e4d73edb8cea7b362bc is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

License

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.2

VulDB Base Score: 4.4
VulDB Temp Score: 4.2
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: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Patch: 3762c6c8ae5073892d7cec736cc54270c7c9ce90/3cbf096a478f4fa03953f0685ad28c9c82ce67cb/f8d14b7bb0063bbbd86c0e4d73edb8cea7b362bc

Timelineinfo

09/24/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/24/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-97446 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97446
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-409552

Entryinfo

Created: 09/24/2026 19:14
Changes: 09/24/2026 19:14 (57)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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