Kernel heap corruption via oversized IFM region index
Published Jun 25, 2026 · Updated Jun 25, 2026
Out-of-bounds write in the Linux Kernel Ethos-U driver allows local users to corrupt kernel heap data through a crafted accelerator command stream. NPU_SET_IFM_REGION retains seven bits of an attacker-controlled parameter, while feat_matrix_length() and calc_sizes() use the value to index eight-entry region arrays. Local access to an Ethos-U accelerator device node is required; successful exploitation permits kernel-data disclosure and kernel crashes or instability.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in the Linux Kernel Ethos-U driver allows local users to corrupt kernel heap data through a crafted accelerator command stream. NPU_SET_IFM_REGION retains seven bits of an attacker-controlled parameter, while feat_matrix_length() and calc_sizes() use the value to index eight-entry region arrays. Local access to an Ethos-U accelerator device node is required; successful exploitation permits kernel-data disclosure and kernel crashes or instability.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-53172
- Published
- Jun 25, 2026
- Updated
- Jun 25, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- Classifications
- Unavailable
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jun 25, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jun 25, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=5a5e9c0228e613f0ef2a58b9782d7c0ea8f1e58b <00f547e0dfecf83014fb32bcba587c6b684c1362
- Affected versionversion=5a5e9c0228e613f0ef2a58b9782d7c0ea8f1e58b <ee7bed779def61ebff1b92b0e851f412176fa416
- Affected versionversion=6.19
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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