CVE-2026-98093 ASoC: fsl_micfil: balance mclk enable/disable
A logic error in the Linux kernel's fsl_micfil driver causes clock reference leaks, potentially leading to denial of service by preventing clock gating.
- 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-2026-98093?
CVE-2026-98093 is a high-severity denial of service vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 25 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:
ASoC: fsl_micfil: balance mclk enable/disable
hw_params() enables mclk unconditionally and hw_free() disables it unconditionally, but the PCM core does not guarantee 1:1 pairing: hw_free() can run without hw_params(), and hw_params() can be called multiple times from the SETUP state. This triggers an "already disabled" WARN() in the first case and leaks an enable reference in the second, leaving the clock ungateable.
Guard both sides with the existing mclk_flag, as fsl_sai.c does with mclk_streams.
Weakness: CWE-404
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-98093?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-98093?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade, then put limits on request size, rate and nesting depth so one client cannot exhaust the service. More about Denial of service.
Is CVE-2026-98093 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-98093 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-98093, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98093, GHSA-c37f-rq9m-6c5r, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-98093.