CVE-2026-23089: Linux kernel · ALSA: usb-audio: Fix use-after-free in snd_usb_mixer_free()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 4% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1106.115~20.04.1 +70
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 4 Feb 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and should be applied to affected Linux kernel versions. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu confirms fixes are included in updated kernel packages. Users should update their systems to the fixed kernel versions and reboot to apply changes. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official fix.
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ALSA usb-audio subsystem was fixed. The flaw occurs when snd_usb_create_mixer() fails, leading snd_usb_mixer_free() to free memory still referenced by controls, causing a use-after-free read during snd_card_register(). This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and affects specific Linux kernel versions. A patch is available to address the issue by properly removing mixer controls before freeing memory.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23089 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23089 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/930e69757b74c3ae083b0c3c7419bfe7f0edc7b2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7bff0156d13f0ad9436e5178b979b063d59f572a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/930e69757b74c3ae083b0c3c7419bfe7f0edc7b2 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dc1a5dd80af1ee1f29d8375b12dd7625f6294dad (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e6f103a22b08daf5df2f4aa158081840e5910963 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8162-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8186-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8187-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8188-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8243-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8180-6 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8275-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8278-1 (opens in a new tab)