CVE-2026-46258
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
NULL Dereference in Linux Kernel GPIO Character Device

Publication date: 2026-06-03

Last updated on: 2026-06-09

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gpio: cdev: Avoid NULL dereference in linehandle_create() In linehandle_create(), there is a statement like this: retain_and_null_ptr(lh); Soon after, there is a debug printout that dereferences "lh", which will crash things. Avoid the crash by using handlereq.lines, which is the same value.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-06-03
Last Modified
2026-06-09
Generated
2026-06-24
AI Q&A
2026-06-03
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-22
NVD
CVE-2026-46258
EUVD
EUVD-2026-34120
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 6.19.4 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-476 The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's gpio character device (cdev) subsystem, specifically in the function linehandle_create().

Within linehandle_create(), a pointer named 'lh' is assigned using retain_and_null_ptr(lh). However, shortly after, there is a debug print statement that dereferences 'lh' directly, which can lead to a NULL pointer dereference and cause the system to crash.

The fix involves avoiding the direct dereference of 'lh' and instead using handlereq.lines, which holds the same value but prevents the crash.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can cause the Linux kernel to crash due to a NULL pointer dereference in the gpio cdev subsystem.

A kernel crash can lead to system instability, unexpected reboots, or denial of service, which may disrupt normal operations on affected systems.

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