CVE-2026-45996 spi: imx: fix use-after-free on unbind
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's i.MX SPI driver allows attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges during device unbinding.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-45996?
CVE-2026-45996 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 27 May 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
spi: imx: fix use-after-free on unbind
The SPI subsystem frees the controller and any subsystem allocated driver data as part of deregistration (unless the allocation is device managed).
Take another reference before deregistering the controller so that the driver data is not freed until the driver is done with it.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-45996?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-45996?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-45996 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-45996 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as AZL-88464, BELL-CVE-2026-45996, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-45996, GHSA-3wqv-wjx5-m93q, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2026-45996, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2404-CVE-2026-45996 and 1 more.