CVE-2026-53042
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fwctl: Fix class init ordering to avoid NULL pointer dereference on device removal CXL is linked before fwctl in drivers/Makefile. Both use `module_init, so `cxl_pci_driver_init()` runs first. When `cxl_pci_probe()` calls `fwctl_register()` and then `device_add()`, fwctl_class is not yet registered because fwctl_init() hasn't run, causing `class_to_subsys()` to return NULL and skip knode_class initialization. On device removal, `class_to_subsys()` returns non-NULL, and `device_del()` calls `klist_del()` on the uninitialized knode, triggering a NULL pointer dereference.
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
6.15
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.18.33,
7.0.10,
7.1
and their respective stable series.
References
3 totalFrequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-53042?
CVE-2026-53042 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.15 onward and has been patched in 6.18.33, 7.0.10 and 7.1. CVE-2026-53042 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-53042?
Yes — CVE-2026-53042 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.33, 7.0.10 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.
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Is CVE-2026-53042 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2026-53042 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.