CVE-2026-53403Patch(linux / linux_kernel)

LOWCVSS 5.5 · MEDIUM

Signal is active with 1 mentions in latest observed window

Immediate actions

  • Patch linux linux_kernel systems immediately

Recommended action window: Monitor and triage in normal cycle

NVD description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbdev: Fix fb_new_modelist to prevent null-ptr-deref in fb_videomode_to_var info->var, a framebuffer's current mode, is expected to have a matching entry in info->modelist. var_to_display() relies on this and treats a failed fb_match_mode() as "This should not happen". fb_set_var() keeps it true by adding the mode to the list on every change, and do_register_framebuffer() does the same at registration. store_modes() replaces the modelist from userspace. fb_new_modelist() validates the new modes but does not check that info->var still has a match. It relies on fbcon_new_modelist() to re-point consoles, but that only handles consoles mapped to the framebuffer. With fbcon unbound there are none, so info->var is left describing a mode that is no longer in the list. A later console takeover runs var_to_display(), where fb_match_mode() returns NULL and leaves fb_display[i].mode NULL. fbcon_switch() passes it to display_to_var(), and fb_videomode_to_var() dereferences the NULL mode. Keep the current mode in the list in fb_new_modelist(), the same way fb_set_var() does.

0.5/ 10 priority

Sources & remediation

Weakness type (CWE)
CWE-476

Priority

LOW

Exploitation

NONE

PoC

NONE

Patch

AVAILABLE

Momentum

NONE

Are you affected?

If you run products in this scope, you should treat this CVE as relevant to your environment.

  • linux_kernel

Threat summary

  • Patch or workaround signal is available
  • 1 mentions across 1 observed day

What's happening

  • Patch or workaround mentioned in 1 signal
  • Technical details provided in 1 signal
  • 1 total mentions across 1 day

Affected systems

Vendors
Products
linux_kernel

1 version affected across 1 product

Deep dive

Activity timeline1 mentions / 1d
00111Mentions · 2026-07-20: 1Patch / Workaround · 2026-07-20: 1Technical Details · 2026-07-20: 107-20
Signal classification1 categories
Patch
1100.0%
Referenced assets1 URL
Full discourse1 post
  • Windows Forum@windowsforum
    Patch

    🐧 Linux’s old fbdev subsystem can still turn a display mode change into a kernel crash. Windows admins running WSL 2, VMs, or dual-boot setups: patch Linux before “just reboot it” becomes policy. https://windowsforum.com/threads/cve-2026-53403-update-linux-kernels-to-stop-fbdev-console-crashes.439564/?utm_source=x&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=news_node84 #LinuxKernel #Wsl2 #FramebufferSecurity #HyperV https://t.co/Cit2BNioqq

    Post summary

    The post alerts that the legacy fbdev subsystem can crash the kernel on display mode changes and urges Linux users to update their kernels to apply a fix.

    0000018
    1.3K followersView on X
CPE platform detail6 entries

6 of 6 entries

PartVendorProductVersionTarget SWTarget HW
OSlinuxlinux_kernel---
OSlinuxlinux_kernel2.6.12--
OSlinuxlinux_kernel2.6.12--
OSlinuxlinux_kernel2.6.12--
OSlinuxlinux_kernel2.6.12--
OSlinuxlinux_kernel2.6.12--

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