CVE-2026-98266 ALSA: core: Fix potential UAF after asynchronous card release
A use-after-free in the Linux kernel ALSA core allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges via asynchronous card release.
- 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-2026-98266?
CVE-2026-98266 is an use after free vulnerability in Linux, published on 6 Oct 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:
ALSA: core: Fix potential UAF after asynchronous card release
Usually a sound driver releases the resources assigned to the card via snd_card_free(), and it synchronizes with the whole release procedure. However, when the card is released asynchronously via snd_card_free_when_closed() like USB-audio driver, the situation is slightly different; although the snd_card_disconnect() call at the disconnection guarantees that any newer accesses will be gated, the in-flight tasks might be still accessing to the underlying card->dev device even after the disconnection, which would cause a use-after-free in the end, as reported by fuzzers.
For addressing the bug above, this patch takes the refcount of card->dev at initialization of the card object, and releases at its destructor. This assures the availability of the card->dev in its whole lifecycle.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-98266?
How do I fix CVE-2026-98266?
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-2026-98266 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-98266 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as AZL-106260, BELL-CVE-2026-98266, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-98266, GHSA-4mg3-v7f5-c2hj, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-98266.