Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3 ALSA snd_card_free_when_closed 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-$25k0.55

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3 and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects the function snd_card_free_when_closed of the component ALSA. The manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-98266. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3. Affected is the function snd_card_free_when_closed of the component ALSA. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: core: Fix potential UAF after asynchronous card release Usually a sound driver releases the resources assigned to the card via snd_card_free(), and it synchronizes with the whole release procedure. However, when the card is released asynchronously via snd_card_free_when_closed() like USB-audio driver, the situation is slightly different; although the snd_card_disconnect() call at the disconnection guarantees that any newer accesses will be gated, the in-flight tasks might be still accessing to the underlying card->dev device even after the disconnection, which would cause a use-after-free in the end, as reported by fuzzers. For addressing the bug above, this patch takes the refcount of card->dev at initialization of the card object, and releases at its destructor. This assures the availability of the card->dev in its whole lifecycle.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-98266 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack 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 10/06/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.112, 6.18.54, 7.2.8 or 7.3-rc4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5c0df40aa577e405c458e44e8d458dd78407f4af/2dec4642589a663e064e4411d92d6e8fa250d53b/398b21608955c9712a012355b69a39407367edc9/fd95e68df6fe66344161a1329cbe5e5805e7b704 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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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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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 6.12.112/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4
Patch: 5c0df40aa577e405c458e44e8d458dd78407f4af/2dec4642589a663e064e4411d92d6e8fa250d53b/398b21608955c9712a012355b69a39407367edc9/fd95e68df6fe66344161a1329cbe5e5805e7b704

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/06/2026 +11 days Advisory disclosed
10/06/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/06/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98266 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98266
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-414054

Entryinfo

Created: 10/06/2026 12:22
Changes: 10/06/2026 12:22 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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