CVE-2026-53170
Published: June 25, 2026· Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
accel/ethosu: reject DMA commands with uninitialized length
cmd_state_init() initializes the command state with memset(0xff),
leaving dma->len at U64_MAX to signal missing setup. The only setter
is NPU_SET_DMA0_LEN; if userspace omits this command and issues
NPU_OP_DMA_START, dma->len remains U64_MAX.
In dma_length(), a positive stride added to U64_MAX wraps to a small
value. With size0 == 1, check_mul_overflow() does not trigger and
dma_length() returns 0 instead of U64_MAX. The caller's U64_MAX check
then passes, region_size[] stays 0, and the bounds check in
ethosu_job.c is bypassed, allowing hardware to execute DMA with stale
physical addresses.
Fix by checking for U64_MAX at the start of dma_length() before any
arithmetic, consistent with the sentinel value used throughout the
driver to detect uninitialized fields.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-53170 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
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 8.8.
The vulnerability has a "Changed" scope, meaning successful exploitation can impact components beyond the vulnerable component itself — such as the host operating system or adjacent services.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (2)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-53170 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts