CVE-2026-46004
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
ALSA caiaq Driver Probe Error Handling Flaw

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: ALSA: caiaq: Handle probe errors properly The probe procedure of setup_card() in caiaq driver doesn't treat the error cases gracefully, e.g. the error from snd_card_register() calls snd_card_free() but continues. This would lead to a UAF for the further calls like snd_usb_caiaq_control_init(), as Berk suggested in another patch in the link below. However, the problem is not only that; in general, this function drops the all error handlings (as it's a void function) although its caller can propagate an error to snd_probe(), which eventually calls snd_card_free() as a proper error path. That said, we should treat each error case in setup_card(), and just return the error code promptly, which is then handled later as a fatal error in snd_probe(). This patch achieves it by changing the setup_card() to return an error code. Also, the superfluous snd_card_free() call is removed, too. Note that card->private_free can be set still safely at returning an error. All called functions in card_free() have checks of the unassigned resources or NULL checks.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-05-27
Last Modified
2026-06-16
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-05-27
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-46004
EUVD
EUVD-2026-32301
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 7 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.86 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.175 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.209 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (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)
linux linux_kernel From 2.6.25 (inc) to 5.10.258 (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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's ALSA caiaq driver, specifically in the probe procedure of the setup_card() function. The function does not handle error cases properly. For example, when snd_card_register() fails, snd_card_free() is called but the function continues execution instead of stopping. This leads to a use-after-free (UAF) condition during subsequent calls like snd_usb_caiaq_control_init().

Additionally, setup_card() is a void function that drops all error handling, even though its caller can propagate errors properly. The fix changes setup_card() to return an error code promptly when an error occurs, allowing the caller to handle the error correctly and avoid unsafe operations.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can lead to a use-after-free (UAF) condition in the ALSA caiaq driver. UAF vulnerabilities can cause system instability, crashes, or potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges by exploiting the freed memory.

In practical terms, this means that if an attacker can trigger this vulnerability, they might be able to compromise the security or stability of a system running the affected Linux kernel.

Mitigation Strategies

The vulnerability is related to the ALSA caiaq driver in the Linux kernel where probe errors are not handled properly, potentially leading to use-after-free (UAF) issues.

To mitigate this vulnerability, you should update your Linux kernel to a version that includes the patch which changes the setup_card() function to properly return error codes and handle errors gracefully.

This patch removes improper snd_card_free() calls and ensures that error handling is done correctly, preventing the UAF condition.

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