Linux hwe edge: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iio: buffer: hw-consumer: free scan_mask on buffer release The scan_mask… (CVE-2026-64498)
Affects linux-hwe-edgeSource GCVE Database
No CVSS score published yet
- Exploitation
Not in CISA KEV, no exploitation reported
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 9% of CVEs
What to do
AI-suggested
A fix has been implemented in the Linux kernel source code to free the scan_mask bitmap on buffer release. Users should update to the fixed kernel version once available. Patch status is not explicitly confirmed in the provided data; users should consult the official Linux kernel advisories or repositories for the patch and apply it accordingly.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iio: buffer: hw-consumer: free scan_mask on buffer release The scan_mask lifetime changed in commit 9a2e1233d38c ("iio: buffer: hw-consumer: remove redundant scan_mask flexible array"). Before that change, the scan mask storage was embedded in struct hw_consumer_buffer, so iio_hw_buf_release() could free the whole allocation with a single kfree(hw_buf). That commit moved the scan mask to a separate bitmap_zalloc() allocation stored in buffer.scan_mask, but left iio_hw_buf_release() unchanged. Free the scan mask in iio_hw_buf_release() before freeing the buffer wrapper.
Summary
The vulnerability (CVE-2026-64498) in the Linux kernel's IIO subsystem involves improper memory management of the scan_mask bitmap in the hw-consumer buffer. A prior commit separated scan_mask into its own allocation, but the buffer release function (iio_hw_buf_release) did not free this allocation, causing a potential use-after-free or memory leak. The fix involves explicitly freeing the scan_mask bitmap before freeing the buffer wrapper, ensuring proper cleanup.
Impact
Improper freeing of the scan_mask bitmap could lead to kernel memory corruption or leaks, potentially destabilizing the system or causing denial of service. No known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability affects kernel stability and security but does not have a reported CVSS score or documented exploitation impact.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64498 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/6325d6e2204327965b849c0a16efb6ac9202e5a8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb8e18f8ca724bd4de4643cad5b7c7230b9a5a71 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-64498 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-64498 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/6325d6e2204327965b849c0a16efb6ac9202e5a8 (opens in a new tab)
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