CVE-2026-53185
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel, specifically within the zram module. This vulnerability is a use-after-free error, where the system attempts to use a piece of memory after it has been freed. This occurs when the zram_bvec_write_partial() function allows an asynchronous read to write into a page that has already been deallocated. Such a flaw can lead to system instability, causing crashes, or in some scenarios, could be exploited by a local attacker to escalate privileges or execute arbitrary code.
Statement
A use-after-free write can occur in zram_bvec_write_partial() when zram_read_page() is called with a parent bio and selects the asynchronous backing device read path for ZRAM_WB slots. The function can return while the read bio is still in flight, after which the caller updates the temporary page, writes it back, and frees it. The pending asynchronous read may then complete into the freed page, causing kernel memory corruption. For the CVSS the PR:L is used because triggering can be possible from a local user context once zram writeback is configured, for example through swap or block I/O activity, even though initial writeback setup is usually administrative.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, prevent module zram from being loaded. Please see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/41278 for how to blacklist a kernel module to prevent it from loading automatically.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7 | N/A | 7 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Application Data; Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
It may be possible to cause data corruption and possibly execute arbitrary code by modifying global variables or data structures at unexpected times, violating the assumptions of code that uses this global data.
Access Control
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
If a signal handler interrupts code that is executing with privileges, it may be possible that the signal handler will also be executed with elevated privileges, possibly making subsequent exploits more severe.
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