Medium [CVE-2026-53403] Fix fb_new_modelist to prevent null-ptr-deref in fb_videomode_to_var
This medium-severity Red Hat Linux advisory covers CVE-2026-53403 affecting Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.
Aggregated and source-linked by VulniPulse. Data sources, validation and limitations.
VulniPulse record published Record updated
Get an email when Red Hat Linux Linux Kernel publishes the next one.
See Red Hat Linux Linux Kernel's last 90 days of advisories first. Then choose one product with live alerts free for life, or a free month of real-time alerts on everything with the severity, the fixed version and the vendor's link (card needed, then US$15/month; we email you before the first charge).
Summary
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.
When a new modelist is set from userspace, the fb_new_modelist function fails to ensure that the current framebuffer mode remains valid within the updated list. This can lead to a null-pointer dereference if a console attempts to take over, resulting in a system crash and a Denial of Service (DoS).
Affected versions
No affected-version range was extracted from the source record. The vendor advisory is authoritative. Check it before change work.
Official advisory · medium-confidence parse· fetched 8 days ago·verify at source
Fixed versions
No fixed release is recorded yet. That does not prove no patch exists. Confirm against the vendor advisory.
Official advisory · medium-confidence parse· fetched 8 days ago·verify at source
Mitigation
The source record does not include mitigation steps. That does not mean no fix exists. Read the vendor advisory below for the authoritative guidance.
Official advisory · medium-confidence parse· fetched 8 days ago·verify at source
More Red Hat Linux advisories
- CVE-2026-111497Oct 22, 2026Out-of-Bounds Write in Google Brotli Decoder
- CVE-2026-109619Oct 21, 2026fatal error handling retains stale request state leading to use-after-free
- CVE-2026-109618Oct 21, 2026OOM bailout during request parsing leads to memory corruption and RCE
- CVE-2026-119977Oct 31, 2026Arbitrary code execution via predictable upgrade staging paths
- CVE-2026-97229Oct 13, 2026integer overflow issue in CI/CD regular expression compiler
- CVE-2026-64849Aug 17, 2026Unauthenticated full-read SSRF in webhook delivery: _validate_webhook_url bypassed
iPhone and Android apps · New on the App Store
Monitor future Red Hat Linux CVEs from your phone.
Choose a whole vendor or a precise platform, then receive matching security advisories by phone notification, email, or both. Coverage follows 34 official vendor sources and 160+ reviewed platform categories.
Discussion(0)
No comments yet. Share field notes, upgrade gotchas, or questions — verify against the vendor advisory before acting on community advice.
Sign in to join the discussion.