CVE-2026-53296 mailbox: mailbox-test: free channels on probe error
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel mailbox-test driver allows attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges via probe error handling.
- 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-2026-53296?
CVE-2026-53296 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 26 Jun 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:
mailbox: mailbox-test: free channels on probe error
On probe error, free the previously obtained channels. This not only prevents a leak, but also UAF scenarios because the client structure will be removed nonetheless because it was allocated with devm.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-53296?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-53296?
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-2026-53296 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-53296 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-53296, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-53296, GHSA-h624-59g3-97r5, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2026-53296, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2026-53296, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2026-53296 and 2 more.