PatchSiren

PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-23076 Linux CVE debrief

A potential out-of-bounds (OOB) access vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's ALSA ctxfi audio mixer handling. This issue arises from the improper initialization of the 'conf' field, which is used as an index in callback functions. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause OOB access, although the exact impact and attack vector are not specified in the provided sources.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
Unknown
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-02-04
Original CVE updated
2026-10-19
Advisory published
2026-02-04
Advisory updated
2026-10-19

Who should care

Linux kernel developers and maintainers, Linux distribution maintainers, and users of Linux-based systems that utilize the ALSA ctxfi driver should assess their exposure and apply patches as necessary.

Why it matters

A potential OOB access vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's ALSA ctxfi audio mixer handling. Linux kernel developers and maintainers, Linux distribution maintainers, and users of Linux-based systems that utilize the ALSA ctxfi driver should assess their exposure and apply patches as necessary.

  • Verify and apply patches to prevent potential OOB access.
  • Monitor system logs for signs of exploitation attempts.
  • Consider implementing additional security measures to detect and prevent potential exploitation attempts.
  • Review Linux kernel updates for any additional patches related to this vulnerability.

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's ALSA ctxfi driver has a potential out-of-bounds (OOB) access vulnerability due to improper initialization of the 'conf' field. This field is used as an index in callback functions (amixer_index() and sum_index()), which could lead to OOB access if not properly initialized. The vulnerability arises from the lack of proper (re-)initialization of the conf field. Linux kernel developers and maintainers, Linux distribution maintainers, and users of Linux-based systems that utilize the ALSA ctxfi driver should assess their exposure and apply patches as necessary to prevent potential OOB access.

Defensive priority

Medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Review and apply the provided patches to ensure the 'conf' field is properly initialized.
  • Monitor Linux kernel updates for any additional patches related to this vulnerability.
  • Consider implementing additional security measures to detect and prevent potential exploitation attempts.
  • Verify whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up.
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.

Evidence notes

The vulnerability is caused by the lack of proper initialization of the 'conf' field in the ctxfi driver. This field is used as an index in the amixer_index() and sum_index() functions, potentially leading to OOB access.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-23076 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23076

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-23076 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-23076

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • ALSA: ctxfi: Fix potential OOB access in audio mixer handling

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/main/cves/2026/23xxx/CVE-2026-23076.json

    cve_program_cvelist_v5

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6524205326e0c1a21263b5c14e48e14ef7e449ae

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/afca7ff5d5d4d63a1acb95461f55ca9a729feedf

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c1d09806e1441bc6a54b9a4f2818918046d5174

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a8c42d11b0526a89192bd2f79facb4c60c8a1f38

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d77ba72558cd66704f0fb7e0969f697e87c0f71c

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/873e2360d247eeee642878fcc3398babff7e387c

    Supplemental source

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/61006c540cbdedea83b05577dc7fb7fa18fe1276

    Supplemental source

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.