CVE-2026-90336

serial: core: clear freed pointers on uart_register_driver() failure

Published Sep 17, 2026 CVSS n/a EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

serial: core: clear freed pointers on uart_register_driver() failure

uart_register_driver() leaves drv->state pointing to freed memory when
tty_alloc_driver() fails. If tty_register_driver() fails, drv->tty_driver
also retains a pointer after its reference is dropped.

Drivers that use drv->state as an "already registered" flag can then skip
registration on the next probe and pass the freed state to
uart_add_one_port().

This issue was found with failslab on QEMU's raspi1ap board by
failing registration and binding the PL011 port again.

Clear both pointers on their failure paths, as uart_unregister_driver()
already does.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4904-1 linux-6.12 security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: serial: core: clear freed pointers on uart_register_driver() failure uart_register_driver() leaves drv->state pointing to freed memory when tty_alloc_driver() fails. If tty_register_driver() fails, drv->tty_driver also retains a pointer after its reference is dropped. Drivers that use drv->state as an "already registered" flag can then skip registration on the next probe and pass the freed state to uart_add_one_port(). This issue was found with failslab on QEMU's raspi1ap board by failing registration and binding the PL011 port again. Clear both pointers on their failure paths, as uart_unregister_driver() already does.
Title serial: core: clear freed pointers on uart_register_driver() failure
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 30, 2026, 12:35 PM
Reserved
Sep 11, 2026, 7:38 PM
Status
Received
Published
Sep 17, 2026, 5:17 PM
Modified
Oct 30, 2026, 1:20 PM