CVE-2026-72073
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mmc: vub300: fix use-after-free on probe failure The vub300 driver lifetime-manages its controller state using vub300->kref, with vub300_delete() freeing the mmc host when the last reference is dropped. The probe error path after the inactivity timer has been armed still bypasses that lifetime rule, however, and falls through to mmc_free_host() directly if mmc_add_host() fails. The race window is between arming the inactivity timer and reaching the probe error unwind after mmc_add_host() fails: probe thread timer/workqueue ------------ --------------- kref_init(&vub300->kref) ref = 1 kref_get(&vub300->kref) ref = 2, timer ref add_timer(inactivity_timer) fires after one second | | race window |<----------------------------------------------------> | mmc_add_host(mmc) inactivity timer fires vub300_queue_dead_work() kref_get() ref = 3 queue_work(deadwork) mmc_add_host() fails timer_delete_sync() mmc_free_host(mmc) frees vub300 deadwork runs use-after-free The inactivity timeout is one second, so this would require mmc_add_host() to both fail and take more than one second to do so. This is unlikely to happen in practice, but the error path is still wrong. timer_delete_sync() only waits for the timer callback itself. It does not flush deadwork that the callback may already have queued. As a result, queued deadwork can still hold a kref while the probe error path directly frees the backing mmc host, including the vub300 storage. Fix this by using the same lifetime mechanism as disconnect. Clear vub300->interface so that the timer callback and any queued deadwork return early and drop their references, then drop the initial probe reference and return without falling through to err_free_host.
Executive briefing
The source record describes: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mmc: vub300: fix use-after-free on probe failure The vub300 driver lifetime-manages its controller state using vub300->kref, with vub300_delete() freeing the mmc host when the last reference is dropped. The probe error path after the inactivity timer has been armed still bypasses that lifetime rule, however, and falls through to mmc_free_host() directly if mmc_add_host() fails. The race window is between arming the inactivity timer and reaching the probe error unwind after mmc_add_host() fails: probe thread timer/workqueue ------------ --------------- kref_init(&vub300->kref) ref = 1 kref_get(&vub300->kref) ref = 2, timer ref add_timer(inactivity_timer) fires after one second | | race window |<----------------------------------------------------> | mmc_add_host(mmc) inactivity timer fires vub300_queue_dead_work() kref_get() ref = 3 queue_work(deadwork) mmc_add_host() fails timer_delete_sync() mmc_free_host(mmc) frees vub300 deadwork runs use-after-free The inactivity timeout is one second, so this would require mmc_add_host() to both fail and take more than one second to do so. This is unlikely to happen in practice, but the error path is still wrong. timer_delete_sync() only waits for the timer callback itself. It does not flush deadwork that the callback may already have queued. As a result, queued deadwork can still hold a kref while the probe error path directly frees the backing mmc host, including the vub300 storage. Fix this by using the same lifetime mechanism as disconnect. Clear vub300->interface so that the timer callback and any queued deadwork return early and drop their references, then drop the initial probe reference and return without falling through to err_free_host. The practical risk depends on whether an affected product/version is present, reachable and configured in an exploitable way. Review the affected-product evidence and linked vendor advisories before assigning exposure status.
Evidence confidence: Low Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict
Severity & attack characteristics
CVSS vector:
No CVSS vector is currently available in the source record.
Technical explanation & impact
The technical mechanism is not expanded beyond the source description unless a referenced advisory supplies additional evidence. Read the linked vendor/CERT advisories for root-cause detail.
Potential impact must be interpreted from the published CVSS impact metrics and the affected component. A CVSS impact score is not proof that a particular asset is exploitable.
Affected products and versions
NVD has not supplied machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this CVE. This is an information gap, not proof that no products are affected. Check the vendor advisory references below.
Remediation & validation
- Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
- Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
- Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
- Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.
No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.
Vendor advisories, patches & exploit references
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b82af744e06cd741938c3da54fdbe564a7e52d9 REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/618cf6b139503ec18ef93ffd663396aaf99b763a REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6c66653dac9b25272d5fd4ed42a34aa5249e16df REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a3b5f242997a3be7404112fd48784881560aea57 REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/face65f80c6946c631ca3490b4ebd2c016a4fd2c REFERENCE 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Information gaps & confidence notes
These gaps indicate missing source data. CVE Watch does not fill them with guessed product, exploit or patch details.
- NVD does not currently provide machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this record.
- No vendor advisory or patch reference was identified in the supplied CVE references.
- No CVSS vector is currently available in the source record.
- No CWE classification is currently available.
Last enrichment: 2026-11-07T16:38:42+00:00 · Source last modified: 2026-11-06T17:19:36.453