CVE-2026-68205
Received Received - Intake

Use-After-Free in Linux Kernel Video4Linux2 Subsystem

Publication date: 2026-08-10

Last updated on: 2026-08-10

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: v4l2-fwnode: Fix subdev owner overwritten in v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor() The v4l2 helper v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor() calls v4l2_async_register_subdev(), which is a macro that expands to __v4l2_async_register_subdev(sd,THIS_MODULE). Since the macro is expanded inside v4l2-fwnode.c, THIS_MODULE resolves to the v4l2-fwnode module rather than the sensor driver module that originally set sd->owner. When v4l2-fwnode is built-in, THIS_MODULE evaluates to NULL, which then overwrites the sensor driver's owner with NULL. This causes the problem that the sensor module's reference count is never incremented during async registration, so the module can be removed while the subdevice is still in use by a notifier (e.g., a CSI-2 receiver bridge driver). Fix this by renaming v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor() to __v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor() with an added explicit module argument and introducing a wrapper macro: #define v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor(sd) \ __v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor(sd, THIS_MODULE) This ensures the sensor driver module is properly referenced even when the sensor driver does not init the owner field before calling v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor() and prevents premature module removal.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-10
Last Modified
2026-08-10
Generated
2026-08-10
AI Q&A
2026-08-10
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-68205
EUVD
EUVD-2026-55306

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel *

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Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves a flaw in the v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor() function. It incorrectly overwrites the sensor driver's module owner with NULL or the v4l2-fwnode module's owner instead of the sensor driver's module. This causes the sensor module's reference count to not increment properly, allowing the module to be removed while still in use by a notifier like a CSI-2 receiver bridge driver.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's media subsystem and does not have network-based detection methods. To detect it, check if your kernel version includes the affected v4l2-fwnode module and verify if the sensor driver's owner field is properly set during async registration.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can lead to system instability or crashes if the sensor module is removed while still in use. It may cause unexpected behavior in applications relying on the sensor, such as video capture or imaging systems, potentially disrupting functionality.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the kernel patch that renames v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor() to __v4l2_async_register_subdev_sensor() with an explicit module argument. Ensure your kernel is updated to a version that includes this fix.

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