CVE-2026-53301: Linux Kernel Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-53301 Overview

CVE-2026-53301 is a null pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Amlogic T7 reset controller driver. The flaw stems from missing reset operations (reset ops) in the driver, which trigger a kernel null pointer dereference when the reset interface is invoked. According to the upstream commit message, the affected system-on-chip (SoC) reset functionality is not yet actively used, limiting the practical exposure of the flaw. The fix populates the required reset operation callbacks to prevent the dereference.

Critical Impact
A null pointer dereference in kernel context can cause a kernel oops or system crash, resulting in denial of service on affected Amlogic T7 hardware platforms running vulnerable Linux kernel builds.

Affected Products

Linux kernel builds including the Amlogic T7 reset controller driver
Systems using Amlogic T7 SoC reset infrastructure
Downstream distributions shipping the affected kernel versions prior to the referenced stable fixes

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-26 - CVE-2026-53301 published to NVD
2026-06-30 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-53301

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Amlogic T7 reset driver within the Linux kernel reset subsystem. The driver registers a reset controller with the kernel but does not provide a complete set of reset ops callbacks. When code paths in the reset framework attempt to invoke these missing operation pointers, the kernel dereferences a null function pointer. This condition falls under the null pointer dereference class [CWE-476] and produces a kernel oops. Practical exposure is constrained because the T7 SoC reset path is not consumed by upstream drivers at the time of the fix, per the commit description.

Root Cause

The root cause is an incomplete driver initialization. The Amlogic T7 reset controller registration path omits assignment of required callback functions in its reset_control_ops structure. Any caller that resolves the controller and invokes an unset operation dereferences a null pointer in kernel mode.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires code execution paths that reach the Amlogic T7 reset controller on hardware that includes the T7 SoC. Because upstream consumers of this reset interface are not yet present, triggering the fault requires either custom drivers, out-of-tree code, or future in-tree code that calls the missing ops. Remote exploitation is not indicated; the issue is a local reliability defect on affected hardware.

The vulnerability manifests when the reset framework dispatches to unset function pointers in the driver's reset_control_ops table. See the upstream fix commits for the exact code path and callback assignments:

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-53301

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected kernel oops entries in dmesg or journalctl -k referencing the Amlogic T7 reset driver
Kernel panic traces including symbols from the reset controller framework on T7-based hardware
Sudden device reboots on Amlogic T7 SoC platforms without corresponding hardware faults

Detection Strategies

Inventory Linux hosts and embedded devices using Amlogic T7 SoCs and compare running kernel versions against the fixed stable releases referenced in the upstream commits.
Parse kernel crash logs for null pointer dereference signatures originating in reset controller code paths.
Monitor build pipelines and vendor kernel trees to ensure the referenced fix commits are included in shipped images.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward kernel logs from embedded and edge devices to a centralized logging platform for continuous review.
Alert on repeated kernel oops or panic events on identical device models, which may indicate a systemic driver defect.
Track upstream stable kernel advisories referencing the reset: amlogic: t7 subsystem.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-53301

Immediate Actions Required

Identify systems running kernels that include the Amlogic T7 reset driver without the referenced fix commits.
Update to a Linux stable kernel release that incorporates commits 463a0885, 9797524e, or cde69482.
Rebuild and redeploy vendor or custom kernels for Amlogic T7 devices after applying the upstream patch.

Patch Information

The fix populates the missing reset operations in the Amlogic T7 driver, preventing the null pointer dereference. Apply the upstream commits from the Linux kernel stable tree: 463a0885, 9797524e, and cde69482.

Workarounds

Avoid loading or invoking the Amlogic T7 reset controller driver on affected kernels until the patch is applied.
Restrict deployment of out-of-tree drivers that consume the T7 reset interface on unpatched kernels.
Where feasible, disable the reset controller in the device tree or kernel configuration on non-production T7 systems pending patch rollout.