PatchSiren

PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-64599 Linux CVE debrief

A use-after-free vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's amlogic crypto driver. When meson_allocate_chanlist() fails after partial allocation, it unwinds the allocated chanlist state. However, meson_crypto_probe() then calls meson_free_chanlist() again, causing a double-free. This can lead to a slab-use-after-free error. The bug was first flagged by an experimental analysis tool and was reproduced in a QEMU x86_64 guest booted with KASAN on v7.1. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially cause denial of service or execute arbitrary code.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-08-06
Original CVE updated
2026-08-17
Advisory published
2026-08-06
Advisory updated
2026-08-17

Who should care

Linux kernel developers, Linux distribution maintainers, and users of Linux-based systems, particularly those using the amlogic crypto driver, should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it. This includes reviewing and updating Linux kernel packages to ensure the fix is applied and monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, users of Linux-based systems should consider implementing compensating controls, such as monitoring and asset inventory, to detect and prevent potential attacks. Security teams should prioritize patching and verifying the vulnerability's impact on their systems. Operators of Linux-based systems should also review their system's configurations and ensure that they are not exposed to the vulnerability. Vulnerability management teams should consider the potential impact of this vulnerability on their systems and prioritize patching accordingly. Security teams should also review their monitoring and detection capabilities to ensure they can detect potential exploitation attempts. Linux-based system administrators should also consider implementing rollback/change windows to minimize the impact of potential attacks. Source tracking and exposure review should also be considered to ensure that the vulnerability is properly mitigated. Compensating controls, such as monitoring and asset inventory, should be reviewed and updated to detect and prevent potential attacks. The vulnerability's impact on Linux-based systems should be carefully evaluated, and steps should be taken to minimize potential damage. The Linux kernel community should also review and test the patch to ensure its effectiveness and stability. Linux distribution maintainers should prioritize patching and updating their packages to ensure that users are protected from this vulnerability. Users of Linux-based systems should also consider implementing security measures, such as compensating controls and monitoring, to detect and prevent potential attacks. The vulnerability's impact on Linux-based systems should be carefully evaluated, and steps should be taken to minimize potential damage. Security teams should prioritize patching and verifying the

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's amlogic crypto driver has a use-after-free vulnerability. When meson_allocate_chanlist() fails after partial allocation, it unwinds the allocated chanlist state. However, meson_crypto_probe() then calls meson_free_chanlist() again, causing a double-free. This can lead to a slab-use-after-free error. The bug was first flagged by an experimental analysis tool and was reproduced in a QEMU x86_64 guest booted with KASAN on v7.1.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the patch to prevent double-free in meson_crypto_probe()
  • Review and update Linux kernel packages to ensure the fix is applied
  • Monitor for potential exploitation attempts
  • 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.
  • Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up.

Evidence notes

The vulnerability was discovered using an experimental analysis tool for kernel memory-management bugs. A reproducer was created to test the vulnerability, which triggered a slab-use-after-free error on an unpatched kernel. With the applied fix, the reproducer no longer emits any KASAN report and the probe fails cleanly with -ENOMEM.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-64599 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-64599

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

  • CVE-2026-64599 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64599

    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/5b452019a4127f63c1f2147237fc287d1581f606

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

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6d827ade51a24e18d81afb9f32756d339520a14c

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

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6dda8406d8a3da2519c8b388d443d7357839cb63

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

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6effdbaca3cd8354540bdf42c7f5fb84412afeb7

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

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/84a00be9b736aa5dce902a290f62cbbbdcfab9ed

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

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2c48aa7a6be36d4c93da75d14d4b4f2f4168c81

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

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c80360b4e85099fc3835378a96a59c0a2480fb07

    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.