CVE-2026-23158: Linux kernel · gpio: virtuser: fix UAF in configfs release path
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 6.17.0-1021.21~24.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.17.0-1021.21~24.04.1, 6.17.0-1021.24~24.04.1, 6.17.0-41.41~24.04.1 +3
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 14 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.
Patches and advisories
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.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gpio: virtuser: fix UAF in configfs release path The gpio-virtuser configfs release path uses guard(mutex) to protect the device structure. However, the device is freed before the guard cleanup runs, causing mutex_unlock() to operate on freed memory. Specifically, gpio_virtuser_device_config_group_release() destroys the mutex and frees the device while still inside the guard(mutex) scope. When the function returns, the guard cleanup invokes mutex_unlock(&dev->lock), resulting in a slab use-after-free. Limit the mutex lifetime by using a scoped_guard() only around the activation check, so that the lock is released before mutex_destroy() and kfree() are called.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23158 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23158 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/53ad4a948a4586359b841d607c08fb16c5503230 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/53ad4a948a4586359b841d607c08fb16c5503230 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7bec90f605cfb138006f5ba575f2310593347110 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/815a8e3bf72811d402b30bd4a53cde5e9df7a563 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8570-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8594-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8604-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8605-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8570-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8669-1 (opens in a new tab)