CVE-2026-98266

/// Technical description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ALSA: core: Fix potential UAF after asynchronous card release

Usually a sound driver releases the resources assigned to the card via

snd_card_free(), and it synchronizes with the whole release procedure.

However, when the card is released asynchronously via

snd_card_free_when_closed() like USB-audio driver, the situation is

slightly different; although the snd_card_disconnect() call at the

disconnection guarantees that any newer accesses will be gated, the

in-flight tasks might be still accessing to the underlying card->dev

device even after the disconnection, which would cause a

use-after-free in the end, as reported by fuzzers.

For addressing the bug above, this patch takes the refcount of

card->dev at initialization of the card object, and releases at its

destructor. This assures the availability of the card->dev in its

whole lifecycle.

/// Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

/// References