CVE-2026-53278
arm_mpam: Check whether the config array is allocated before destroying it
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arm_mpam: Check whether the config array is allocated before destroying it __destroy_component_cfg() is called to free the configuration array. It uses the embedded 'garbage' structure, which means the array has to be allocated. If __destroy_component_cfg() is called from mpam_disable() before the configuration was ever allocated, then a NULL pointer is dereferenced. Check for this case and return early if the configuration is not allocated. __destroy_component_cfg() also frees the mbwu_state as this is allocated by __allocate_component_cfg(). As the mbwu_state is allocated after comp->cfg is set, and is also under mpam_list_lock, only the first pointer needs checking.
INFO
Published Date :
June 26, 2026, 8:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
July 8, 2026, 3:58 a.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
- Ensure arm_mpam config array is allocated before destruction.
- Check for allocation status before freeing resources.
- Apply kernel patches to fix the NULL pointer dereference.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-53278.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ccbb613b42a1f1ba7bfd547a148f644a902a25c | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8eb6dc76eeae5302c0d885906a0e469ef9630a59 | Patch |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-53278 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-53278
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).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-53278 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-53278 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.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Jul. 08, 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-476 Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.19 up to (excluding) 7.0.10 Added Reference Type kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ccbb613b42a1f1ba7bfd547a148f644a902a25c Types: Patch Added Reference Type kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8eb6dc76eeae5302c0d885906a0e469ef9630a59 Types: Patch -
New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Jun. 26, 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': '3bd04fe7d807bbdcfe75b29ca82fae4e2d7dc524', 'lessThan': '8eb6dc76eeae5302c0d885906a0e469ef9630a59', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '3bd04fe7d807bbdcfe75b29ca82fae4e2d7dc524', 'lessThan': '6ccbb613b42a1f1ba7bfd547a148f644a902a25c', 'versionType': 'git'}], 'programFiles': ['drivers/resctrl/mpam_devices.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}, {'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '6.19'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '6.19', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.0.10', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '7.0.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.1', 'versionType': 'original_commit_for_fix', 'lessThanOrEqual': '*'}], 'programFiles': ['drivers/resctrl/mpam_devices.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}] Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arm_mpam: Check whether the config array is allocated before destroying it __destroy_component_cfg() is called to free the configuration array. It uses the embedded 'garbage' structure, which means the array has to be allocated. If __destroy_component_cfg() is called from mpam_disable() before the configuration was ever allocated, then a NULL pointer is dereferenced. Check for this case and return early if the configuration is not allocated. __destroy_component_cfg() also frees the mbwu_state as this is allocated by __allocate_component_cfg(). As the mbwu_state is allocated after comp->cfg is set, and is also under mpam_list_lock, only the first pointer needs checking. Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ccbb613b42a1f1ba7bfd547a148f644a902a25c Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8eb6dc76eeae5302c0d885906a0e469ef9630a59