CVE-2026-68180

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: intel_th: fix MSC output device reference leak intel_th_output_open() looks up the output device with bus_find_device_by_devt(), which returns the device with a reference that must be dropped after use. commit 95fc36a234da ("intel_th: fix device leak on output open()") attempted to drop the reference from intel_th_output_release(). However, a successful open replaces file->f_op with the output driver file operations before returning, so close runs the output driver release callback instead. For MSC outputs, close runs intel_th_msc_release(), which only removes the per-file iterator and does not drop the device reference taken by intel_th_output_open(). Consequently, every successful MSC output open leaks one device reference. Drop the device reference from intel_th_msc_release(), which is the release path actually used for MSC output files. Remove the now-unused intel_th_output_release() callback from intel_th_output_fops.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-08-10
Last modified 2026-08-19
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.10.249, 5.15.199, 6.1.162, 6.6.122, 6.12.68, 6.18.8, 6.19 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.265, 5.15.216, 6.1.183, 6.6.148, 6.12.101, 6.18.42, 7.1.6, 7.2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.10.249 ≥ 5.15.199 ≥ 6.1.162 ≥ 6.6.122 ≥ 6.12.68 ≥ 6.18.8 ≥ 6.19
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.265 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.216 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.183 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.148 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.101 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.42 6.18.x ✓ 7.1.6 7.1.x ✓ 7.2

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-68180?

    CVE-2026-68180 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.10.249 onward and has been patched in 5.10.265, 5.15.216, 6.1.183 and others. CVE-2026-68180 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-68180?

    Yes. CVE-2026-68180 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.265, 5.15.216, 6.1.183 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.10.249 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-68180 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-68180 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.