CVE-2026-31584: media: mediatek: vcodec: fix use-after-free in encoder release path
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: mediatek: vcodec: fix use-after-free in encoder release path
The fops_vcodec_release() function frees the context structure (ctx)
without first cancelling any pending or running work in ctx->encode_work.
This creates a race window where the workqueue handler (mtk_venc_worker)
may still be accessing the context memory after it has been freed.
Race condition:
CPU 0 (release path) CPU 1 (workqueue)
--------------------- ------------------
fops_vcodec_release()
v4l2_m2m_ctx_release()
v4l2_m2m_cancel_job()
// waits for m2m job "done"
mtk_venc_worker()
v4l2_m2m_job_finish()
// m2m job "done"
// BUT worker still running!
// post-job_finish access:
other ctx dereferences
// UAF if ctx already freed
// returns (job "done")
kfree(ctx) // ctx freed
Root cause: The v4l2_m2m_ctx_release() only waits for the m2m job
lifecycle (via TRANS_RUNNING flag), not the workqueue lifecycle.
After v4l2_m2m_job_finish() is called, the m2m framework considers
the job complete and v4l2_m2m_ctx_release() returns, but the worker
function continues executing and may still access ctx.
The work is queued during encode operations via:
queue_work(ctx->dev->encode_workqueue, &ctx->encode_work)
The worker function accesses ctx->m2m_ctx, ctx->dev, and other ctx
fields even after calling v4l2_m2m_job_finish().
This vulnerability was confirmed with KASAN by running an instrumented
test module that widens the post-job_finish race window. KASAN detected:
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in mtk_venc_worker+0x159/0x180
Read of size 4 at addr ffff88800326e000 by task kworker/u8:0/12
Workqueue: mtk_vcodec_enc_wq mtk_venc_worker
Allocated by task 47:
__kasan_kmalloc+0x7f/0x90
fops_vcodec_open+0x85/0x1a0
Freed by task 47:
__kasan_slab_free+0x43/0x70
kfree+0xee/0x3a0
fops_vcodec_release+0xb7/0x190
Fix this by calling cancel_work_sync(&ctx->encode_work) before kfree(ctx).
This ensures the workqueue handler is both cancelled (if pending) and
synchronized (waits for any running handler to complete) before the
context is freed.
Placement rationale: The fix is placed after v4l2_ctrl_handler_free()
and before list_del_init(&ctx->list). At this point, all m2m operations
are done (v4l2_m2m_ctx_release() has returned), and we need to ensure
the workqueue is synchronized before removing ctx from the list and
freeing it.
Note: The open error path does NOT need cancel_work_sync() because
INIT_WORK() only initializes the work structure - it does not schedule
it. Work is only scheduled later during device_run() operations.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A race in the Linux MediaTek video encoder driver can let background work access memory after it has been freed. A local, low-privileged user able to exercise the encoder could potentially crash the system or compromise kernel confidentiality and integrity. Exposure depends on affected kernel code and MediaTek encoder availability.
Executive priority
Prioritize affected multi-user systems, devices running untrusted local applications, and workloads exposing hardware video encoding. Patch through normal urgent kernel maintenance after confirming applicability. Systems without the MediaTek encoder path are lower priority, but require documented verification rather than version-only assumptions.
Technical view
The encoder release path frees its context while encode_work may still be running. Because v4l2_m2m_ctx_release() waits for job completion but not workqueue completion, mtk_venc_worker can dereference the freed context. KASAN confirmed a slab use-after-free. The fix synchronously cancels encode_work before removing and freeing the context.
Likely exposure
Likely exposure is limited to Linux systems using affected kernel versions with the MediaTek vcodec encoder driver present and accessible locally. The supplied record identifies affected releases including 6.6, 6.6.136, 6.12.83, 6.18.24, 6.19.14, 7.0.1, and 7.1; confirm vendor backports before deciding status.
Exploitation context
The supplied CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8 with local access, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The issue was reproduced using KASAN with an instrumented test module. The record is not in KEV, and the supplied sources provide no evidence of active exploitation or a public weaponized exploit.
Researcher notes
The key synchronization gap occurs after v4l2_m2m_job_finish(): the framework considers the job complete while the worker continues dereferencing ctx. The prescribed placement waits for pending or running encode_work after m2m teardown and before list removal and kfree. The open error path is reportedly unaffected because INIT_WORK does not schedule work.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable referenced stable fix.
Confirm the vendor kernel includes cancel_work_sync() for ctx->encode_work before context removal and freeing.
Where updates are delayed, restrict untrusted local access to affected MediaTek video-encoding interfaces.
Consult distribution or device-vendor guidance for exact fixed package and reboot requirements.
Validation and detection
Inventory kernel versions and systems containing the MediaTek vcodec encoder driver.
Check vendor advisories or source history for one of the referenced fix commits or an equivalent backport.
Confirm the running kernel changed after updating; an installed package alone may not remove exposure.
Use controlled KASAN regression testing to confirm encoder release no longer triggers the use-after-free.
Review kernel logs for MediaTek encoder crashes or memory-safety reports, without treating absence as proof.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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