CVE-2026-93163 hwrng: core - fix rng list on registration error
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel hwrng core allows local attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges due to improper cleanup on registration failure.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-93163?
CVE-2026-93163 is an use after free vulnerability in Linux, published on 17 Sep 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:
hwrng: core - fix rng list on registration error
hwrng_register(rng) does the following:
1. Checks if rng has name and read methods set 2. Checks if the name already exists 3. Adds rng to global rng_list 4. May try to set rng to current_rng
If step 4 fails, it returns an error. However, it does not remove the rng from rng_list, causing a dangling reference which can result in use-after-free if the caller frees rng, since registration failed.
Add a list_del_init() cleanup step.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-93163?
How do I fix CVE-2026-93163?
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-2026-93163 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-93163 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as AZL-102882, BELL-CVE-2026-93163, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-93163, GHSA-22cg-3qr6-xx65, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-93163.