CVE-2026-23089

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: usb-audio: Fix use-after-free in snd_usb_mixer_free() When snd_usb_create_mixer() fails, snd_usb_mixer_free() frees mixer->id_elems but the controls already added to the card still reference the freed memory. Later when snd_card_register() runs, the OSS mixer layer calls their callbacks and hits a use-after-free read. Call trace: get_ctl_value+0x63f/0x820 sound/usb/mixer.c:411 get_min_max_with_quirks.isra.0+0x240/0x1f40 sound/usb/mixer.c:1241 mixer_ctl_feature_info+0x26b/0x490 sound/usb/mixer.c:1381 snd_mixer_oss_build_test+0x174/0x3a0 sound/core/oss/mixer_oss.c:887 ... snd_card_register+0x4ed/0x6d0 sound/core/init.c:923 usb_audio_probe+0x5ef/0x2a90 sound/usb/card.c:1025 Fix by calling snd_ctl_remove() for all mixer controls before freeing id_elems. We save the next pointer first because snd_ctl_remove() frees the current element.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-02-04
Last modified 2026-03-17
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-416

CVE-2026-23089 is a Use After Free vulnerability

What is Use After Free?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 2.6.13 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.249, 5.15.199, 6.1.162, 6.6.122, 6.12.68, 6.18.8, 6.19 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.13
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.249 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.199 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.162 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.122 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.68 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.8 6.18.x ✓ 6.19

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-23089 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-23089?

    CVE-2026-23089 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.13 onward and has been patched in 5.10.249, 5.15.199, 6.1.162 and others. CVE-2026-23089 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-23089?

    CVE-2026-23089 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-23089?

    Yes — CVE-2026-23089 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.249, 5.15.199, 6.1.162 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.13 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-23089 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-23089 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?

    The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. View CWE-416 on MITRE CWE →