CVE-2026-74387

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: seq: midi: Serialize output teardown with event_input event_process_midi() borrows msynth->output_rfile.output and then passes the substream to dump_midi() and snd_rawmidi_kernel_write() without synchronizing with the output open/close transition. midisynth_use() also publishes output_rfile before snd_rawmidi_output_params() has finished. The last midisynth_unuse() can therefore release the same rawmidi file and free substream->runtime before snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1() takes its runtime buffer reference. That leaves the event_input path using a stale substream or runtime and can end in a NULL-deref or use-after-free. Fix this with two pieces of synchronization. Keep a short IRQ-safe spinlock only for publishing or clearing output_rfile and for pairing the output snapshot with an snd_use_lock_t reference. Once event_process_midi() has taken that in-flight reference, it drops the spinlock before calling snd_seq_dump_var_event(), dump_midi(), or snd_rawmidi_kernel_write(). midisynth_unuse() now detaches the visible rawmidi file under the same spinlock, waits for the in-flight writers to drain, and only then drains and releases the saved file. midisynth_use() likewise opens into a local snd_rawmidi_file and publishes it only after snd_rawmidi_output_params() succeeds. The buggy scenario involves two paths, with each column showing the order within that path: event_input path: last unuse path: 1. event_process_midi() snapshots 1. midisynth_unuse() starts output_rfile.output. tearing down output_rfile. 2. dump_midi() reaches 2. snd_rawmidi_kernel_release() snd_rawmidi_kernel_write() closes the output file. before runtime is pinned. 3. close_substream() frees 3. The callback keeps using substream->runtime. the borrowed substream. Validation reproduced this kernel report: KASAN null-ptr-deref in snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1+0x56/0x360 RIP: 0033:0x7fde7dd0837f RIP: 0010:snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1+0x56/0x360

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-08-15
Last modified 2026-08-15
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 2.6.12 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97, 6.18.40, 7.1.5, 7.2-rc1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.12
Fixed in
✓ 6.1.178 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.145 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.97 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.40 6.18.x ✓ 7.1.5 7.1.x ✓ 7.2-rc1

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-74387?

    CVE-2026-74387 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.12 onward and has been patched in 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97 and others. CVE-2026-74387 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-74387?

    Yes. CVE-2026-74387 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.178, 6.6.145, 6.12.97 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.12 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-74387 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-74387 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.