CVE-2026-53173

CVE-2026-53173 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-787.

Key facts

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: accel/ethosu: fix OOB write in ethosu_gem_cmdstream_copy_and_validate() The command stream parsing loop increments the index variable a second time when a 64-bit command word is encountered (bit 14 set), but does not re-check the loop bound before writing the second word: for (i = 0; i < size / 4; i++) { bocmds[i] = cmds[0]; if (cmd & 0x4000) { i++; bocmds[i] = cmds[1]; /* unchecked */ } } The buffer bocmds is backed by a DMA allocation of exactly size bytes from drm_gem_dma_create(ddev, size), giving valid indices [0, size/4-1]. When i == size/4 - 1 on entry to an iteration and bit 14 of cmds[0] is set, bocmds[size/4-1] is written in bounds, i is then incremented to size/4, and bocmds[size/4] writes four bytes past the end of the allocation. Userspace controls both the buffer contents and the size argument via the ioctl, making this a userspace-triggerable heap out-of-bounds write. Fix by checking the incremented index against the buffer bound before the second write and returning -EINVAL if the buffer is too small to contain the extended command.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-53173?
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: accel/ethosu: fix OOB write in ethosu_gem_cmdstream_copy_and_validate() The command stream parsing loop increments the index variable a second time when a 64-bit command word is encountered (bit 14 set), but does not re-check the loop bound before writing the second word: for (i = 0; i < size / 4; i++) { bocmds[i] = cmds[0]; if (cmd & 0x4000) { i++; bocmds[i] = cmds[1]; /* unchecked */ } } The buffer bocmds is backed by a DMA allocation of exactly size bytes from drm_gem_dma_create(ddev, size), giving valid indices [0, size/4-1]. When i == size/4 - 1 on entry to an iteration and bit 14 of cmds[0] is set, bocmds[size/4-1] is written in bounds, i is then incremented to size/4, and bocmds[size/4] writes four bytes past the end of the allocation. Userspace controls both the buffer contents and the size argument via the ioctl, making this a userspace-triggerable heap out-of-bounds write. Fix by checking the incremented index against the buffer bound before the second write and returning -EINVAL if the buffer is too small to contain the extended command.
How severe is CVE-2026-53173?
CVE-2026-53173 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-53173 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (3rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-53173?
CVE-2026-53173 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-53173?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2026-53173 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2026-53173 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-39264.
When was CVE-2026-53173 published?
CVE-2026-53173 was published on 2026-06-25 and last updated on 2026-07-06.

References

Affected products (7)

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