Use After Free in Linux
CVE-2026-43497
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbdev: udlfb: add vm_ops to dlfb_ops_mmap to prevent use-after-free dlfb_ops_mmap() uses remap_pfn_range() to map vmalloc framebuffer pages to userspace but sets no vm_ops on the VMA. This means the kernel cannot track active mmaps. When dlfb_realloc_framebuffer() replaces the backing buffer via FBIOPUT_VSCREENINFO, existing mmap PTEs are not invalidated. On USB disconnect, dlfb_ops_destroy() calls vfree() on the old pages while userspace PTEs still reference them, resulting in a use-after-free: the process retains read/write access to freed kernel pages. Add vm_operations_struct with open/close callbacks that maintain an atomic mmap_count on struct dlfb_data. In dlfb_realloc_framebuffer(), check mmap_count and return -EBUSY if the buffer is currently mapped, preventing buffer replacement while userspace holds stale PTEs. Tested with PoC using dummy_hcd + raw_gadget USB device emulation.
Vulnerability class: Use-After-Free
Published · last modified .
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 7.3 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
EPSS exploit prediction
EPSS: 0.002 (5.1th percentile), scored .
Very low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days; routine patching cadence is appropriate. 5th percentile — 5.1% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.
EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.001 · newest: 0.002 · change: +0.001
Affected products
- Linux — versions 7.1, 7.1-rc3, 7.0.7
- Linux Kernel — versions 7.1
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 (Patch)
- 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 (Patch)
- 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 (Patch)
- 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 (Patch)
- 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 (Patch)
- 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 (Patch)
- 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 (Patch)
- 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 (Patch)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-43497?
- CVE-2026-43497 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux, classified under Use After Free. CVSS score: 7.3/10. Published 2026-05-21.
- How severe is CVE-2026-43497?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.3 out of 10.