Vulnerability Description
NetBSD's hdaudio(4) driver in sys/dev/hdaudio/hdaudio.c contains a missing access control vulnerability that allows unprivileged local attackers to invoke the HDAUDIO_FGRP_SETCONFIG ioctl without elevated permissions by exploiting the absence of an access check on /dev/hdaudioN device nodes. Attackers can repeatedly issue HDAUDIO_FGRP_SETCONFIG from one thread while keeping DMA and IRQs live from a second thread to trigger a use-after-free race condition in hdafg_detach() between stream_stop() and stream_disestablish(), where a latched DMA interrupt dereferences a freed callback pointer, resulting in outcomes ranging from audio-subsystem denial of service and kernel panic to potential local kernel privilege escalation.
CVSS Score
HIGH
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://cvsweb.NetBSD.org/bsdweb.cgi/src/sys/dev/hdaudio/hdaudio.c
- https://gist.github.com/n4sm/c9683ca728ecfada6c726f2a5afb50ed
- https://gnats.netbsd.org/60492
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netbsd-hdaudio-4-driver-privilege-bypass-us
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-53996?
CVE-2026-53996 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.0 (HIGH). NetBSD's hdaudio(4) driver in sys/dev/hdaudio/hdaudio.c contains a missing access control vulnerability that allows unprivileged local attackers to invoke the HDAUDIO_FGRP_SETCONFIG ioctl without elev...
How severe is CVE-2026-53996?
CVE-2026-53996 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.0/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-53996?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.