CVE-2026-53046
Published: June 24, 2026· Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ksmbd: fix use-after-free from async crypto on Qualcomm crypto engine
ksmbd_crypt_message() sets a NULL completion callback on AEAD requests
and does not handle the -EINPROGRESS return code from async hardware
crypto engines like the Qualcomm Crypto Engine (QCE). When QCE returns
-EINPROGRESS, ksmbd treats it as an error and immediately frees the
request while the hardware DMA operation is still in flight. The DMA
completion callback then dereferences freed memory, causing a NULL
pointer crash:
pc : qce_skcipher_done+0x24/0x174
lr : vchan_complete+0x230/0x27c
...
el1h_64_irq+0x68/0x6c
ksmbd_free_work_struct+0x20/0x118 [ksmbd]
ksmbd_exit_file_cache+0x694/0xa4c [ksmbd]
Use the standard crypto_wait_req() pattern with crypto_req_done() as
the completion callback, matching the approach used by the SMB client
in fs/smb/client/smb2ops.c. This properly handles both synchronous
engines (immediate return) and async engines (-EINPROGRESS followed
by callback notification).
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-53046 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (7)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-53046 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts