CVE-2026-53385

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: vc_screen: fix null-ptr-deref in vcs_notifier() during concurrent vcs_write A KASAN null-ptr-deref was observed in vcs_notifier(): BUG: KASAN: null-ptr-deref in vcs_notifier+0x98/0x130 Read of size 2 at addr qmp_cmd_name: qmp_capabilities, arguments: {} The issue is a race condition in vcs_write(). When the console_lock is temporarily dropped (to copy data from userspace), the vc_data pointer obtained from vcs_vc() may become stale. After re-acquiring the lock, vcs_vc() is called again to re-validate the pointer. If the vc has been deallocated in the meantime, vcs_vc() returns NULL, and the while loop breaks (with written > 0). However, after the loop, vcs_scr_updated(vc) is still called with the now-NULL vc pointer, leading to a null pointer dereference in the notifier chain (vcs_notifier dereferences param->vc). Fix this by adding a NULL check for vc before calling vcs_scr_updated().

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-07-19
Last modified 2026-08-17
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

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2026-53385 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 5.10.181, 5.15.113, 6.1.30, 4.14.327, 4.19.284, 5.4.244, 6.3.4, 6.4 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.260, 5.15.211, 6.1.177, 6.6.144, 6.12.95, 6.18.37, 7.0.14, 7.1.2, 7.2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.10.181 ≥ 5.15.113 ≥ 6.1.30 ≥ 4.14.327 ≥ 4.19.284 ≥ 5.4.244 ≥ 6.3.4 ≥ 6.4
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.260 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.211 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.177 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.144 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.95 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.37 6.18.x ✓ 7.0.14 7.0.x ✓ 7.1.2 7.1.x ✓ 7.2

References

9 total
Showing 5 of 9 references View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-53385?

    CVE-2026-53385 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.10.181 onward and has been patched in 5.10.260, 5.15.211, 6.1.177 and others. CVE-2026-53385 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-53385?

    CVE-2026-53385 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-2026-53385?

    Yes. CVE-2026-53385 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.260, 5.15.211, 6.1.177 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.10.181 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-53385 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-53385 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

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