Linux: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-53172 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions ee7bed779def61ebff1b92b0e851f412176fa416, 00f547e0dfecf83014fb32bcba587c6b684c1362 as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux to ee7bed779def61ebff1b92b0e851f412176fa416 or 00f547e0dfecf83014fb32bcba587c6b684c1362, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 7.0.13 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5a5e9c0228e613f0ef2a58b9782d7c0ea8f1e58b up to, but not including, ee7bed779def61ebff1b92b0e851f412176fa416; 5a5e9c0228e613f0ef2a58b9782d7c0ea8f1e58b up to, but not including, 00f547e0dfecf83014fb32bcba587c6b684c1362; 6.19 | ee7bed779def61ebff1b92b0e851f412176fa416, 00f547e0dfecf83014fb32bcba587c6b684c1362 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 6.19 up to, but not including, 7.0.13; 7.1 | 7.0.13 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: accel/ethosu: fix IFM region index out-of-bounds in command stream parser NPU_SET_IFM_REGION extracts the region index with param & 0x7f, giving a maximum value of 127. However region_size[] and output_region[] in struct ethosu_validated_cmdstream_info are both sized to NPU_BASEP_REGION_MAX (8), giving valid indices [0..7]. Every other region assignment in the same switch uses param & 0x7: NPU_SET_OFM_REGION: st.ofm.region = param & 0x7; NPU_SET_IFM2_REGION: st.ifm2.region = param & 0x7; NPU_SET_WEIGHT_REGION: st.weight[0].region = param & 0x7; NPU_SET_SCALE_REGION: st.scale[0].region = param & 0x7; The 0x7f mask on IFM is inconsistent and appears to be a typo. feat_matrix_length() and calc_sizes() use the region index directly as an array subscript into the kzalloc'd info struct: info->region_size[fm->region] = max(...); A userspace caller supplying NPU_SET_IFM_REGION with param > 7 causes a write up to 127*8 = 1016 bytes past the start of region_size[], corrupting adjacent kernel heap data. Fix by applying the same & 0x7 mask used by all other region assignments.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
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