CVE-2026-45996
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Use-After-Free in Linux Kernel SPI Subsystem

Publication date: 2026-05-27

Last updated on: 2026-06-16

Assigner: kernel.org

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.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-05-27
Last Modified
2026-06-16
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-05-28
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-45996
EUVD
EUVD-2026-32292
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 4 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.86 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.19 (inc) to 6.6.140 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.27 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 7.0.4 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-416 The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.
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Mitigation Strategies

The vulnerability is fixed in the Linux kernel by correcting the SPI subsystem's handling of controller deregistration to avoid use-after-free errors.

Immediate mitigation steps include updating your Linux kernel to a version that contains this fix.

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in the Linux kernel's SPI subsystem, specifically related to the imx driver. When the SPI controller is deregistered, the driver data allocated by the subsystem is freed. However, the code did not properly take an additional reference before deregistering, which could lead to the driver data being freed while still in use.

Impact Analysis

The use-after-free vulnerability could cause system instability or crashes if the driver attempts to access freed memory. This can lead to unpredictable behavior in the SPI subsystem, potentially affecting devices relying on SPI communication.

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