CVE-2026-53042
fwctl: Fix class init ordering to avoid NULL pointer dereference on device removal
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fwctl: Fix class init ordering to avoid NULL pointer dereference on device removal CXL is linked before fwctl in drivers/Makefile. Both use `module_init, so `cxl_pci_driver_init()` runs first. When `cxl_pci_probe()` calls `fwctl_register()` and then `device_add()`, fwctl_class is not yet registered because fwctl_init() hasn't run, causing `class_to_subsys()` to return NULL and skip knode_class initialization. On device removal, `class_to_subsys()` returns non-NULL, and `device_del()` calls `klist_del()` on the uninitialized knode, triggering a NULL pointer dereference.
INFO
Published Date :
June 24, 2026, 5:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
July 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update the Linux kernel.
- Ensure proper module initialization order.
- Verify device removal procedures.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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CVE-2026-53042.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-53042 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
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stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-53042
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
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The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-53042 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-53042 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Jul. 14, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H Added CWE CWE-824 Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.19 up to (excluding) 7.0.10 *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.15 up to (excluding) 6.18.33 Added Reference Type kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1075f2f590fdac147f8b8010c35b606564b5c7d7 Types: Patch Added Reference Type kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a28f56988c8e5bb9375806a5cfb0bf54d662ae3f Types: Patch Added Reference Type kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a55f80233f384dc89ef3425b2e1dd0e6d44bcf29 Types: Patch -
New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Jun. 24, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '858ce2f56b5253063f61f6b1c58a6dbf5d71da0b', 'lessThan': 'a28f56988c8e5bb9375806a5cfb0bf54d662ae3f', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '858ce2f56b5253063f61f6b1c58a6dbf5d71da0b', 'lessThan': '1075f2f590fdac147f8b8010c35b606564b5c7d7', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '858ce2f56b5253063f61f6b1c58a6dbf5d71da0b', 'lessThan': 'a55f80233f384dc89ef3425b2e1dd0e6d44bcf29', 'versionType': 'git'}], 'programFiles': ['drivers/fwctl/main.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}, {'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.15'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '6.15', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.18.33', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.18.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.0.10', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '7.0.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.1', 'versionType': 'original_commit_for_fix', 'lessThanOrEqual': '*'}], 'programFiles': ['drivers/fwctl/main.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}] Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fwctl: Fix class init ordering to avoid NULL pointer dereference on device removal CXL is linked before fwctl in drivers/Makefile. Both use `module_init, so `cxl_pci_driver_init()` runs first. When `cxl_pci_probe()` calls `fwctl_register()` and then `device_add()`, fwctl_class is not yet registered because fwctl_init() hasn't run, causing `class_to_subsys()` to return NULL and skip knode_class initialization. On device removal, `class_to_subsys()` returns non-NULL, and `device_del()` calls `klist_del()` on the uninitialized knode, triggering a NULL pointer dereference. Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1075f2f590fdac147f8b8010c35b606564b5c7d7 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a28f56988c8e5bb9375806a5cfb0bf54d662ae3f Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a55f80233f384dc89ef3425b2e1dd0e6d44bcf29