Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2 ALSA usb_stream_free privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.4$0-$5k0.17+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. It has been declared as very critical. The impacted element is the function usb_stream_free of the component ALSA. Executing a manipulation can lead to privileges management. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-97931. The attack can only be executed locally. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. It has been declared as very critical. This vulnerability affects the function usb_stream_free of the component ALSA. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: us122l: Prevent write upgrades for read mappings The hwdep mmap callback rejects read-buffer mappings that are initially writable, but leaves VM_MAYWRITE set on mappings created with PROT_READ. A process that can open the hwdep node O_RDWR can later use mprotect() to make the mapping writable. The read allocation begins with struct usb_stream. Its read_size member is used by the fault handler to decide which pages belong to the read buffer. The read VMA intentionally remains expandable because pcm_usb_stream uses mremap() after reading that size. Changing read_size first can therefore map and access pages beyond the allocation. The same member is also consumed by usb_stream_free(), where changing it can make free_pages_exact() release pages outside the allocation. Clear VM_MAYWRITE for read-buffer mappings after rejecting an initially writable VMA. This keeps the separate output-buffer mapping writable while preventing later permission upgrades.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-97931 since 09/25/2026. 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 09/25/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068.

Upgrading to version 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 64a87950239867682cde128020e1a47088295e5c/d9c537b14f4982f17b103e3a2cfeee4bee6bc026/0eb9dd4774af0ac4d1fd105ef2b0a1f6cec06f2f/71c610aeb1770302ac9c9e0b9a4ecd37f1311928 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

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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: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
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 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3
Patch: 64a87950239867682cde128020e1a47088295e5c/d9c537b14f4982f17b103e3a2cfeee4bee6bc026/0eb9dd4774af0ac4d1fd105ef2b0a1f6cec06f2f/71c610aeb1770302ac9c9e0b9a4ecd37f1311928

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/25/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-97931 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97931
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-410164

Entryinfo

Created: 09/25/2026 15:15
Changes: 09/25/2026 15:15 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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