CVE-2026-46162
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Double Free in Linux Kernel Ice Driver

Publication date: 2026-05-28

Last updated on: 2026-06-10

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ice: fix double free in ice_sf_eth_activate() error path When auxiliary_device_add() fails, ice_sf_eth_activate() jumps to aux_dev_uninit and calls auxiliary_device_uninit(&sf_dev->adev). The device release callback ice_sf_dev_release() frees sf_dev, but the current error path falls through to sf_dev_free and calls kfree(sf_dev) again, causing a double free. Keep kfree(sf_dev) for the auxiliary_device_init() failure path, but avoid falling through to sf_dev_free after auxiliary_device_uninit().
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Meta Information
Published
2026-05-28
Last Modified
2026-06-10
Generated
2026-06-17
AI Q&A
2026-05-28
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-16
NVD
CVE-2026-46162
EUVD
EUVD-2026-32789
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 3 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.30 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 7.0.7 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.12 (inc) to 6.12.88 (exc)
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Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-415 The product calls free() twice on the same memory address.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a double free bug in the Linux kernel's ice driver, specifically in the function ice_sf_eth_activate().

When the function auxiliary_device_add() fails, the error handling code calls auxiliary_device_uninit(), which triggers the device release callback ice_sf_dev_release() that frees the device structure sf_dev.

However, after this, the error path incorrectly continues and calls kfree(sf_dev) again, causing the same memory to be freed twice.

The fix involves keeping the kfree(sf_dev) call only for the failure path of auxiliary_device_init(), and avoiding the second free after auxiliary_device_uninit() to prevent the double free.

Impact Analysis

A double free vulnerability can lead to undefined behavior such as memory corruption, system crashes, or potential exploitation by attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges.

In this case, the double free in the Linux kernel's ice driver could destabilize the kernel, potentially causing system instability or security breaches.

Mitigation Strategies

The vulnerability is a double free issue in the Linux kernel's ice driver during the auxiliary device activation error path.

To mitigate this vulnerability, update your Linux kernel to a version where this issue is fixed, as the patch avoids the double free by adjusting the error handling in ice_sf_eth_activate().

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