CVE-2026-74407 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders responsible for Linux kernel maintenance and patching should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to prevent potential crashes during reboot and SSR recovery overlap.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-74407 is a Linux kernel vulnerability that can cause system crashes during reboot if it overlaps with WLAN firmware crash recovery (SSR). Defenders should prioritize patching vulnerable versions to prevent potential crashes and ensure system stability.

• Potential system crashes during reboot and SSR recovery overlap
• NULL pointer dereference in the MHI teardown path
• Freeing DMA-backed MHI contexts

Technical summary

The Linux kernel vulnerability CVE-2026-74407 allows a reboot to crash if it overlaps with WLAN firmware crash recovery (SSR). The crash occurs due to a NULL pointer dereference in the MHI teardown path while freeing DMA-backed MHI contexts. The issue arises from a race condition between the shutdown path and the SSR recovery sequence. The fix involves canceling SSR-related work items during PCI shutdown, marking the device as unregistering, and serializing the RDDM callback path.

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize patching vulnerable Linux kernel versions to prevent potential crashes during reboot and SSR recovery overlap.

Recommended defensive actions

• Patch vulnerable Linux kernel versions
• Verify system exposure and apply patches
• Monitor for potential crashes during reboot and SSR recovery overlap
• 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 CVE record and source item provide details on the vulnerability, including a simplified trace of the crash and the fix implemented by canceling SSR-related work items during PCI shutdown. The source details are limited; therefore, defenders should verify system exposure and apply patches while monitoring for potential crashes during reboot and SSR recovery overlap. Evidence is based on source-provided information and may not cover all affected scope or scenarios.

Sources and references

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.