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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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.