CVE-2026-23186: hwmon: (acpi_power_meter) Fix deadlocks related to acpi_power_meter_notify()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
hwmon: (acpi_power_meter) Fix deadlocks related to acpi_power_meter_notify()
The acpi_power_meter driver's .notify() callback function,
acpi_power_meter_notify(), calls hwmon_device_unregister() under a lock
that is also acquired by callbacks in sysfs attributes of the device
being unregistered which is prone to deadlocks between sysfs access and
device removal.
Address this by moving the hwmon device removal in
acpi_power_meter_notify() outside the lock in question, but notice
that doing it alone is not sufficient because two concurrent
METER_NOTIFY_CONFIG notifications may be attempting to remove the
same device at the same time. To prevent that from happening, add a
new lock serializing the execution of the switch () statement in
acpi_power_meter_notify(). For simplicity, it is a static mutex
which should not be a problem from the performance perspective.
The new lock also allows the hwmon_device_register_with_info()
in acpi_power_meter_notify() to be called outside the inner lock
because it prevents the other notifications handled by that function
from manipulating the "resource" object while the hwmon device based
on it is being registered. The sending of ACPI netlink messages from
acpi_power_meter_notify() is serialized by the new lock too which
generally helps to ensure that the order of handling firmware
notifications is the same as the order of sending netlink messages
related to them.
In addition, notice that hwmon_device_register_with_info() may fail
in which case resource->hwmon_dev will become an error pointer,
so add checks to avoid attempting to unregister the hwmon device
pointer to by it in that case to acpi_power_meter_notify() and
acpi_power_meter_remove().
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-23186 is a Linux kernel availability flaw in the ACPI power meter hardware-monitoring driver. Under certain notification and sysfs access timing, the kernel can deadlock during device unregister or register handling. The public bundle does not show data theft, privilege escalation, remote attack, CVSS scoring, or active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted Linux availability issue. Prioritize patching where affected kernels and ACPI power meter monitoring intersect, especially on systems with strict uptime requirements. Broader emergency response is not supported by the supplied evidence.
Technical view
The acpi_power_meter_notify() callback called hwmon_device_unregister() while holding a lock also acquired by sysfs attribute callbacks. The fix moves registration and removal outside that inner lock, adds a static mutex to serialize notification handling, and avoids unregistering error pointers after failed hwmon registration.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the acpi_power_meter hwmon driver in use. The supplied version data is incomplete and should be confirmed against distribution kernel advisories or the referenced stable commits.
Exploitation context
The bundle describes a concurrency deadlock, not an exploit chain. KEV is false, and no cited source reports active exploitation, weaponized proof of concept, or remote exploitability. Business risk is primarily service interruption on affected systems.
Researcher notes
Key uncertainty is affected-version precision. The CVE description provides root cause and fix direction, but no CVSS, CWE, exploitability assessment, or distribution-specific fixed builds. Validate against downstream kernel packaging before declaring exposure or closure.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
Prioritize systems using ACPI power meter hardware monitoring.
Check Linux distribution advisories for exact affected and fixed kernel builds.
Avoid inventing workarounds; follow kernel or distribution guidance.
Plan reboot windows where kernel replacement is required.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers and appliances.
Identify systems where the acpi_power_meter driver is present or loaded.
Map installed kernels to vendor advisories and referenced stable commits.
Review monitoring for unexplained hangs around hwmon, sysfs, or ACPI power events.
Confirm patched systems run a fixed kernel after maintenance.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links
Vulnerability timeline
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CVE reservedCVE Program
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CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Feb 14, 2026, 16:27 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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