CVE-2026-46202

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: HID: appletb-kbd: run inactivity autodim from workqueues The autodim code in hid-appletb-kbd takes backlight_device->ops_lock via backlight_device_set_brightness() -> mutex_lock() from two different atomic contexts: * appletb_inactivity_timer() is a struct timer_list callback, so it runs in softirq context. Every expiry triggers BUG: sleeping function called from invalid context at kernel/locking/mutex.c:591 Call Trace: <IRQ> __might_resched __mutex_lock backlight_device_set_brightness appletb_inactivity_timer call_timer_fn run_timer_softirq * reset_inactivity_timer() is called from appletb_kbd_hid_event() and appletb_kbd_inp_event(). On real USB hardware these run in softirq/IRQ context (URB completion and input-event dispatch). When the Touch Bar has already been dimmed or turned off, the reset path calls backlight_device_set_brightness() directly to restore brightness, producing the same warning. Both call sites hit the same mutex_lock()-from-atomic bug. Fix them together by moving the blocking work onto the system workqueue: * Convert the inactivity timer from struct timer_list to struct delayed_work; the callback (appletb_inactivity_work) now runs in process context where mutex_lock() is legal. * Add a dedicated struct work_struct restore_brightness_work and have reset_inactivity_timer() schedule it instead of calling backlight_device_set_brightness() directly. Cancel both works synchronously during driver tear-down alongside the existing backlight reference drop. The semantics are unchanged (same delays, same state transitions on dim, turn-off and user activity); only the execution context of the sleeping call changes. The timer field and callback are renamed to match their new type; reset_inactivity_timer() keeps its name because it is invoked from input event paths that read naturally as "reset the inactivity timer".

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-05-28
Last modified 2026-06-10
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

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

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.15 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.32, 7.0.9, 7.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.15
Fixed in
✓ 6.18.32 6.18.x ✓ 7.0.9 7.0.x ✓ 7.1

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-46202?

    CVE-2026-46202 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.15 onward and has been patched in 6.18.32, 7.0.9 and 7.1. CVE-2026-46202 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-46202?

    CVE-2026-46202 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-46202?

    Yes. CVE-2026-46202 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.32, 7.0.9 and 7.1. If you are running Linux kernel 6.15 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-46202 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-46202 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.