CVE-2026-53403 Details
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbdev: Fix fb_new_modelist to prevent null-ptr-deref in fb_videomode_to_var info->var, a framebuffer's current mode, is expected to have a matching entry in info->modelist. var_to_display() relies on this and treats a failed fb_match_mode() as "This should not happen". fb_set_var() keeps it true by adding the mode to the list on every change, and do_register_framebuffer() does the same at registration. store_modes() replaces the modelist from userspace. fb_new_modelist() validates the new modes but does not check that info->var still has a match. It relies on fbcon_new_modelist() to re-point consoles, but that only handles consoles mapped to the framebuffer. With fbcon unbound there are none, so info->var is left describing a mode that is no longer in the list. A later console takeover runs var_to_display(), where fb_match_mode() returns NULL and leaves fb_display[i].mode NULL. fbcon_switch() passes it to display_to_var(), and fb_videomode_to_var() dereferences the NULL mode. Keep the current mode in the list in fb_new_modelist(), the same way fb_set_var() does.
A null pointer dereference vulnerability has been identified in the Linux kernel's framebuffer (fbdev) subsystem. This issue arises in the 'fb_new_modelist' function, where the current video mode of a framebuffer ('info->var') is expected to have a corresponding entry in the mode list ('info->modelist'). The function 'var_to_display' relies on this consistency and treats any mismatch as an error. While 'fb_set_var' and 'do_register_framebuffer' correctly update the modelist, 'fb_new_modelist' fails to ensure that the current mode is still valid after a console takeover, particularly when 'fbcon' is unbound. This oversight can lead to a situation where 'var_to_display' receives a null mode, causing a dereference error.
Users can upgrade to the latest version of the Linux kernel where this vulnerability has been fixed.
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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
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0d8c7f21ad8529d5c181e61f86be35b887ae2e4d | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1458a4d804550b7101e8bb02c1cb941088e4c0c7 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f1a7fe8ba845cb7d39580755f78c3b7b9a0b61e | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7640b4f68acb54c2c4f6b4a8aee0e9849dacd929 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7f08fc10fa3d3366dc3af723970bd03d7d6d10e3 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8707f02ac9f5f632039b60df2c9f3dc914709f72 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/88913059c77e171f44ba829282d42dde0d458811 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eea16b6f805c0b1fb2f72f0f771088ea45356956 | kernel.org | Patch |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-476 | NULL Pointer Dereference | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| linux linux kernel | >= 2.6.12.1, < 5.10.260 >= 5.11, < 5.15.211 >= 5.16, < 6.1.177 >= 6.2, < 6.6.144 >= 6.7, < 6.12.95 >= 6.13, < 6.18.38 >= 6.19, < 7.1.3 2.6.12 - 2.6.12 rc2 2.6.12 rc3 2.6.12 rc4 2.6.12 rc5 |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
4 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Jul 30, 2026 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| Jul 20, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Jul 19, 2026 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |