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CVE Record

CVE-2026-46090: ALSA: aloop: Fix peer runtime UAF during format-change stop

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: aloop: Fix peer runtime UAF during format-change stop loopback_check_format() may stop the capture side when playback starts with parameters that no longer match a running capture stream. Commit 826af7fa62e3 ("ALSA: aloop: Fix racy access at PCM trigger") moved the peer lookup under cable->lock, but the actual snd_pcm_stop() still runs after dropping that lock. A concurrent close can clear the capture entry from cable->streams[] and detach or free its runtime while the playback trigger path still holds a stale peer substream pointer. Keep a per-cable count of in-flight peer stops before dropping cable->lock, and make free_cable() wait for those stops before detaching the runtime. This preserves the existing behavior while making the peer runtime lifetime explicit.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-46090 is a Linux kernel flaw in the ALSA loopback audio driver. A local user could potentially trigger a race that uses freed memory, with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It is not described as remotely exploitable in the provided sources.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority kernel maintenance item, especially on shared Linux systems. It is less urgent than a remotely exploitable internet-facing flaw, but local privilege impact can be severe in multi-user environments.

Technical view

The issue is a use-after-free race in ALSA aloop during format-change stop handling. A concurrent close can detach or free a capture runtime while playback trigger logic still holds a stale peer substream pointer. Stable fixes add in-flight peer stop tracking and wait before runtime detach.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to affected Linux kernel builds where the ALSA loopback driver is present and local users can interact with audio devices. Shared Linux servers, desktops, build hosts, and container hosts with untrusted local access deserve review.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The source bundle says KEV is false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation or public weaponization.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a race-related use-after-free in snd-aloop peer runtime lifetime handling. The bundle includes stable kernel commits and Red Hat advisories, but does not provide exploit details, affected distribution package matrices, or proof of active exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Review Red Hat advisories for affected package status and update guidance.
  • Prioritize systems with untrusted local users or shared shell access.
  • If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance for temporary controls.
  • Reboot into the updated kernel after maintenance completes.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running Linux kernel versions across managed systems.
  • Check whether vendor advisories mark each platform affected or fixed.
  • Confirm the updated kernel includes the referenced stable commit lineage.
  • Review whether ALSA loopback support is present on exposed systems.
  • Document systems requiring reboot to activate the fixed kernel.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-46090 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

2CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
1ADP providers
23Source links

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux
7CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H15.9redhat-SADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-46090Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Reported to Red Hat.

  3. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Made public.

  4. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  5. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

redhat-SADPkernel: ALSA: aloop: Fix peer runtime UAF during format-change stop
other:Red Hat severity ratingcvssV3_1
  • 2026-05-27T00:00:00.000Z: Reported to Red Hat.
  • 2026-05-27T00:00:00.000Z: Made public.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux597603d615d2b19a9e451d8cfac24372856a522d, 597603d615d2b19a9e451d8cfac24372856a522d, 597603d615d2b19a9e451d8cfac24372856a522d, 597603d615d2b19a9e451d8cfac24372856a522d, 597603d615d2b19a9e451d8cfac24372856a522d, 597603d615d2b19a9e451d8cfac24372856a522dunaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.37, 0, 5.10.259, 5.15.210, 6.12.88, 6.18.27, 7.0.4, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-364

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-364 · source CWE mapping

Signal Handler Race Condition

Signal Handler Race Condition represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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