CVE-2026-53242

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: PCM: Fix wait queue list corruption in snd_pcm_drain() on linked streams snd_pcm_drain() uses init_waitqueue_entry which does not clear entry.prev/next, and add_wait_queue with a conditional remove_wait_queue that is skipped when to_check is no longer in the group after concurrent UNLINK. The orphaned wait entry remains on the unlinked substream sleep queue. On the next drain iteration, add_wait_queue adds the entry to a new queue while still linked on the old one, corrupting both lists. A subsequent wake_up dereferences NULL at the func pointer (mapped from the spinlock at offset 0 of the misinterpreted wait_queue_head_t), causing a kernel panic. Replace init_waitqueue_entry/add_wait_queue/conditional remove_wait_queue with init_wait_entry/prepare_to_wait/ finish_wait. init_wait_entry clears prev/next via INIT_LIST_HEAD on each iteration and sets autoremove_wake_function which auto-removes the entry on wake-up. finish_wait safely handles both the already-removed and still-queued cases.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-06-25
Last modified 2026-07-07
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-476

CVE-2026-53242 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability

What is NULL Pointer Dereference?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.10.253, 6.1.167, 6.6.130, 6.12.78, 6.18.19, 6.19.9, 7.0 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.259, 6.1.176, 6.6.143, 6.12.94, 6.18.36, 7.0.13, 7.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.10.253 ≥ 6.1.167 ≥ 6.6.130 ≥ 6.12.78 ≥ 6.18.19 ≥ 6.19.9 ≥ 7.0
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.259 5.10.x ✓ 6.1.176 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.143 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.94 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.36 6.18.x ✓ 7.0.13 7.0.x ✓ 7.1

References

7 total
Showing 5 of 7 references View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-53242?

    CVE-2026-53242 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.10.253 onward and has been patched in 5.10.259, 6.1.176, 6.6.143 and others. CVE-2026-53242 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-53242?

    CVE-2026-53242 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-2026-53242?

    Yes. CVE-2026-53242 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.259, 6.1.176, 6.6.143 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.10.253 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-53242 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-53242 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

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