CVE-2026-43160

Kernel crash via uninitialized SMC mutex

Published May 6, 2026 · Updated May 6, 2026

Use of an uninitialized resource in Linux Kernel 6.17 through 6.18.15 and 6.19 through 6.19.5 allows local users to crash the kernel. apple_smc_probe() leaves struct apple_smc's mutex uninitialized, so apple_smc_read() calls from subdevice probe functions can dereference a NULL mutex state. Low-privileged local access and an Apple SMC system using the macsmc driver are required; the reported consequence is an occasional kernel crash, with no reported data exposure or modification.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.12%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use of an uninitialized resource in Linux Kernel 6.17 through 6.18.15 and 6.19 through 6.19.5 allows local users to crash the kernel. apple_smc_probe() leaves struct apple_smc's mutex uninitialized, so apple_smc_read() calls from subdevice probe functions can dereference a NULL mutex state. Low-privileged local access and an Apple SMC system using the macsmc driver are required; the reported consequence is an occasional kernel crash, with no reported data exposure or modification.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-43160
Published
May 6, 2026
Updated
May 6, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-908
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 6, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 6, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=6.17
  2. Affected versionversion=e038d985c9823a12cd64fa077d0c5aca2c644b67 <2d5932588f029f7787f52c29174fead9bbc6b2cf
  3. Affected versionversion=e038d985c9823a12cd64fa077d0c5aca2c644b67 <414f65d6736342c77d4ec5e7373039f4a09250dd
  4. Affected versionversion=e038d985c9823a12cd64fa077d0c5aca2c644b67 <a1e9e299c0d9ea42ab1067b39fb72e976d3f1bdb

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=6.17; version=e038d985c9823a12cd64fa077d0c5aca2c644b67 <2d5932588f029f7787f52c29174fead9bbc6b2cf; version=e038d985c9823a12cd64fa077d0c5aca2c644b67 <414f65d6736342c77d4ec5e7373039f4a09250dd; version=e038d985c9823a12cd64fa077d0c5aca2c644b67 <a1e9e299c0d9ea42ab1067b39fb72e976d3f1bdb

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-908Use of Uninitialized Resource

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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