CVE-2026-53278: Linux kernel · arm_mpam: Check whether the config array is allocated before destroying it
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, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 3% 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 26 Jun 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 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@7.0.0-28.28?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@7.0.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke@7.0.0-1003.4?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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 has been released by Ubuntu in their Linux kernel packages versioned 7.0.0-28.28 and later for various Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and OEM kernels. Users should update to these fixed kernel versions and reboot to apply the fix. Due to an ABI change, recompilation and reinstallation of third-party kernel modules may be necessary. No additional mitigations are required beyond applying the official updates.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ARM MPAM driver was fixed by adding a check to ensure the configuration array is allocated before attempting to destroy it. Without this check, a NULL pointer dereference could occur if the destruction function is called before allocation. This issue was resolved in Linux kernel versions 7.0.0 and later. The vulnerability has a medium severity score and does not impact confidentiality or integrity but can cause denial of service due to an application crash. A patch is available and included in multiple updated Linux kernel packages for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and OEM releases.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-53278 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53278 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/6ccbb613b42a1f1ba7bfd547a148f644a902a25c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ccbb613b42a1f1ba7bfd547a148f644a902a25c (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8eb6dc76eeae5302c0d885906a0e469ef9630a59 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8566-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8568-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8569-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8593-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8603-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8618-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8663-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8664-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-1 (opens in a new tab)