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CVE-2026-63930 Linux CVE debrief

A use-after-free vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's iio buffer hw-consumer. The issue arises in the err_put_buffers cleanup path of iio_hw_consumer_alloc(), where list_for_each_entry() is used to iterate through buffers while calling iio_buffer_put() which can free the current buffer if refcount drops to 0. The list_for_each_entry() loop macro then evaluates buf->head.next to continue iteration, accessing the freed buffer. This issue has been resolved by using list_for_each_entry_safe(). Linux kernel users and maintainers should assess the impact of this vulnerability on their systems and apply the fix to prevent potential use-after-free errors.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-19
Original CVE updated
2026-07-27
Advisory published
2026-07-19
Advisory updated
2026-07-27

Who should care

Linux kernel users and maintainers should assess the impact of this vulnerability on their systems and apply the fix to prevent potential use-after-free errors. This includes reviewing system configurations and inventory for potential exposure, and monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. Affected operators, platforms, vulnerability-management, and security teams should prioritize this fix based on their specific risk profiles.

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's iio buffer hw-consumer has a use-after-free vulnerability. In the err_put_buffers cleanup path of iio_hw_consumer_alloc(), list_for_each_entry() is used to iterate through buffers. If iio_buffer_put() frees the current buffer, list_for_each_entry() accesses the freed buffer. The fix replaces list_for_each_entry() with list_for_each_entry_safe(). This change prevents the use-after-free error by ensuring that the iteration through buffers is done safely, even if the current buffer is freed.

Defensive priority

Apply the fix to prevent use-after-free errors. Review system configurations and inventory for potential exposure. Monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Prioritize this fix based on specific risk profiles, and consider compensating controls for exposed systems.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the official fix by updating the Linux kernel to the latest version.
  • Review system configurations and inventory for potential exposure.
  • Monitor for potential exploitation attempts.
  • Confirm 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 CVE record was published on 2026-07-19T16:17:11.380Z and has not been modified since then. The NVD entry is currently Received. There is limited information available about the specific impact of this vulnerability on affected systems. Linux kernel users and maintainers should review the official advisory and CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance. The fix replaces list_for_each_entry() with list_for_each_entry_safe() to prevent use-after-free errors.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-63930 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-63930

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

  • CVE-2026-63930 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-63930

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

Supplemental references

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/29783e6b6ec0b7152a15e53a063f17537e81177d

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2ff615fc455acda5425c4900160cbe11cfea4449

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f5ed4f2c7c83f33344e0ba179f72a12e5dad4a4

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9319c94f63ed10723afd738d79f5617daba87cc8

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a3763ae33476328cf8d661742deb9daec78eac96

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b71893c57730809c222766e5718bb33610f11963

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2759d49860b9a39b5cde2fb88e4b822ddf5f58f

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

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.