CVE-2026-23291: Linux kernel · nfc: pn533: properly drop the usb interface reference on disconnect
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · patch available : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 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
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Mar 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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-40.40?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1019.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1020.20?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1020.22?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1018.18?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 to properly drop the USB interface reference on device disconnect. Refer to the vendor advisory and update to a fixed kernel version to remediate this issue.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel NFC driver for the pn533 device was resolved. The issue involved a dangling reference count on the USB interface when the device was disconnected, which could lead to system instability or denial of service. This flaw was fixed by properly dropping the USB interface reference after disconnect. Multiple specific Linux kernel versions are affected. A patch is available to address this issue.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-23291 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23291 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/12133a483dfa832241fbbf09321109a0ea8a520e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/00477cab053dc4816b99141d8fcca7a479cfebeb (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/12133a483dfa832241fbbf09321109a0ea8a520e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/4551d6cea00224ab65a0ef35e4e6da0e9c0a2d74 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7398d6570501edc55a50ece820f369ab3c1df2e7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ff14eb070f0efecb2606f8d7aa01b77d188e886 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/d1f6d20b3c2642ec85ce6ea5da7155746c31c6d0 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8567-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8576-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8574-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8596-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8576-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8597-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8595-2 (opens in a new tab)