CVE-2026-46048: Linux kernel · ALSA: caiaq: fix usb_dev refcount leak on probe failure
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium : upgrade to 7.0.0-1008.8 when convenient.
Data as of 6 Nov 2026, 17:10 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 7.0.0-1008.8
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 27 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 6 Nov 2026.
What to do
Upgrade the Ubuntu linux-oem-7.0 package to 7.0.0-1008.8.
Patches and advisories
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-oem-7.0pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gcp-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gcp-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-hwe-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther 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 fixed in Linux kernel version 7.0.0-1008.8. Users and administrators should update their Linux kernel to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability. The vendor advisory from Ubuntu (USN-8489-1) confirms the fix and recommends applying the update and rebooting the system. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
CVE-2026-46048 is a medium severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel ALSA caiaq driver where a USB device reference count leak occurs on probe failure. The flaw arises because the usb_get_dev() reference is not properly released if certain initialization steps fail, leading to a memory leak of the usb_device structure and associated resources. This issue was fixed by ensuring the private_free destructor is assigned immediately after usb_get_dev(), so all error paths properly balance the reference count. The vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions prior to 7.0.0-1008.8 and specific listed versions. A patch is available and should be applied to prevent resource leaks.