CVE-2026-46202 Details
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: HID: appletb-kbd: run inactivity autodim from workqueues The autodim code in hid-appletb-kbd takes backlight_device->ops_lock via backlight_device_set_brightness() -> mutex_lock() from two different atomic contexts: * appletb_inactivity_timer() is a struct timer_list callback, so it runs in softirq context. Every expiry triggers BUG: sleeping function called from invalid context at kernel/locking/mutex.c:591 Call Trace: <IRQ> __might_resched __mutex_lock backlight_device_set_brightness appletb_inactivity_timer call_timer_fn run_timer_softirq * reset_inactivity_timer() is called from appletb_kbd_hid_event() and appletb_kbd_inp_event(). On real USB hardware these run in softirq/IRQ context (URB completion and input-event dispatch). When the Touch Bar has already been dimmed or turned off, the reset path calls backlight_device_set_brightness() directly to restore brightness, producing the same warning. Both call sites hit the same mutex_lock()-from-atomic bug. Fix them together by moving the blocking work onto the system workqueue: * Convert the inactivity timer from struct timer_list to struct delayed_work; the callback (appletb_inactivity_work) now runs in process context where mutex_lock() is legal. * Add a dedicated struct work_struct restore_brightness_work and have reset_inactivity_timer() schedule it instead of calling backlight_device_set_brightness() directly. Cancel both works synchronously during driver tear-down alongside the existing backlight reference drop. The semantics are unchanged (same delays, same state transitions on dim, turn-off and user activity); only the execution context of the sleeping call changes. The timer field and callback are renamed to match their new type; reset_inactivity_timer() keeps its name because it is invoked from input event paths that read naturally as "reset the inactivity timer".
A vulnerability has been identified in the Linux kernel's HID appletb keyboard driver, specifically in the backlight control feature. The issue arises because the driver improperly handles brightness adjustments from two different atomic contexts, leading to a mutex lock error. This problem occurs when the inactivity timer expires, as well as during normal input event processing on USB hardware. The incorrect context handling triggers a kernel warning about sleeping functions being called from an invalid context, which can disrupt the normal operation of the driver and potentially lead to undefined behavior.
The vulnerability has been addressed by modifying the driver to use workqueues for the backlight control tasks, ensuring that the brightness adjustments are made from a proper process context. This fix is available in the Linux kernel stable tree.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
No CVSS 4.0 data is available for this CVE.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
No SSVC data is available for this CVE.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
By selecting these links, you will be leaving this site. These are references gathered from the official CVE record and are not endorsed by Volerion.
| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1654e53349d4e657b331de354313461f401f5063 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2473a334c292af257ef68e33bc7760f4a8251812 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5c0830323689ef15224f0025276176988861b3b0 | kernel.org | Patch |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NVD-CWE-noinfo | Insufficient Information to Classify Weakness | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| linux linux kernel | >= 6.15, < 6.18.32 >= 6.19, < 7.0.9 7.1 rc1 7.1 rc2 7.1 rc3 |
CPE
Remediation
| |
Change History
3 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Jun 10, 2026 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| May 28, 2026 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |