PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-63966 Linux CVE debrief
A stack leak vulnerability was discovered in the Linux kernel's adis16550_trigger_handler function. The function declares a scan data array on the stack without initializing it. The memcpy() function fills only the first 28 bytes, and iio_push_to_buffers_with_timestamp() writes the s64 timestamp at offset 32. Bytes 28-31 remain uninitialized stack data, leaking to userspace on every trigger. The vulnerability was fixed by zero-initializing the structure on the stack. This issue affects Linux kernel users and maintainers, who should review the official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance.
- Vendor
- Linux
- Product
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Unknown
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-07-19
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-07-30
- Advisory published
- 2026-07-19
- Advisory updated
- 2026-07-30
Who should care
Linux kernel users and maintainers, as well as operators and security teams responsible for Linux kernel-based systems, should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it. This includes reviewing the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance.
Technical summary
The adis16550_trigger_handler function in the Linux kernel does not initialize the scan data array on the stack. When the memcpy() function is called, it fills only the first 28 bytes of the array, and the iio_push_to_buffers_with_timestamp() function writes the s64 timestamp at offset 32. As a result, bytes 28-31 remain uninitialized stack data, which can leak to userspace on every trigger. To fix this vulnerability, the structure on the stack should be zero-initialized. Linux kernel users and maintainers should review the official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance.
Defensive priority
Medium
Recommended defensive actions
- Inventory Linux kernel installations to identify potential exposure
- Apply the fix by updating the Linux kernel to the latest version
- Monitor for potential exploitation attempts
- Implement compensating controls to reduce the attack surface
- Review 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
- Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up
Evidence notes
The CVE record was published on 2026-07-19T16:17:15.600Z and has not been modified since then. The NVD entry is currently Received. There is limited information available about this vulnerability, and defenders should verify the affected scope and severity with the official advisory or CVE record.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
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CVE-2026-63966 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-63966
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2026-63966 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-63966
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/474f8928d50b09f7dcf507049f08732640b88b49
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2c255444392872cbbf46d640cb3a938e8000309
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ce582b22dd2ff15ac99101c22ec1559d1febe2ff
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.