Kernel memory disclosure via stale fbdev mode pointer
Published Aug 26, 2026 · Updated Aug 27, 2026
Use-after-free in Linux fbdev 2.6.12 through 7.1.9 allows local users to disclose kernel memory through framebuffer mode operations. fb_set_var() frees a matching fb_modelist entry without clearing fb_info->mode, leaving show_mode() to read fields through the dangling pointer. Exploitation requires write access to a framebuffer device and a configured fbdev mode; the resulting read exposes kernel-heap contents and can also crash the system.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Linux fbdev 2.6.12 through 7.1.9 allows local users to disclose kernel memory through framebuffer mode operations. fb_set_var() frees a matching fb_modelist entry without clearing fb_info->mode, leaving show_mode() to read fields through the dangling pointer. Exploitation requires write access to a framebuffer device and a configured fbdev mode; the resulting read exposes kernel-heap contents and can also crash the system.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-80579
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 27, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- CWE-825, T1005
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 26, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 27, 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.
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <95e647d2a5304a8fd11f1ba3c8502de700650131
- Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <ce7fef961c63229b22dec415fb988899f479d61f
- Affected versionversion=2.6.12
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
- Linux security/vulns reproduction sequenceproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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