Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ALSA: seq: midi: Serialize output teardown with event_input

event_process_midi() borrows msynth->output_rfile.output and then
passes the substream to dump_midi() and snd_rawmidi_kernel_write()
without synchronizing with the output open/close transition.
midisynth_use() also publishes output_rfile before
snd_rawmidi_output_params() has finished.

The last midisynth_unuse() can therefore release the same rawmidi file
and free substream->runtime before snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1() takes
its runtime buffer reference. That leaves the event_input path using a
stale substream or runtime and can end in a NULL-deref or use-after-free.

Fix this with two pieces of synchronization. Keep a short IRQ-safe
spinlock only for publishing or clearing output_rfile and for pairing
the output snapshot with an snd_use_lock_t reference. Once
event_process_midi() has taken that in-flight reference, it drops the
spinlock before calling snd_seq_dump_var_event(), dump_midi(), or
snd_rawmidi_kernel_write(). midisynth_unuse() now detaches the visible
rawmidi file under the same spinlock, waits for the in-flight writers
to drain, and only then drains and releases the saved file.
midisynth_use() likewise opens into a local snd_rawmidi_file and
publishes it only after snd_rawmidi_output_params() succeeds.

The buggy scenario involves two paths, with each column showing the
order within that path:

event_input path: last unuse path:
1. event_process_midi() snapshots 1. midisynth_unuse() starts
output_rfile.output. tearing down output_rfile.
2. dump_midi() reaches 2. snd_rawmidi_kernel_release()
snd_rawmidi_kernel_write() closes the output file.
before runtime is pinned. 3. close_substream() frees
3. The callback keeps using substream->runtime.
the borrowed substream.

Validation reproduced this kernel report:
KASAN null-ptr-deref in snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1+0x56/0x360
RIP: 0033:0x7fde7dd0837f
RIP: 0010:snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1+0x56/0x360
Published: 2026-08-15
Score: n/a
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
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History

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 06:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: seq: midi: Serialize output teardown with event_input event_process_midi() borrows msynth->output_rfile.output and then passes the substream to dump_midi() and snd_rawmidi_kernel_write() without synchronizing with the output open/close transition. midisynth_use() also publishes output_rfile before snd_rawmidi_output_params() has finished. The last midisynth_unuse() can therefore release the same rawmidi file and free substream->runtime before snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1() takes its runtime buffer reference. That leaves the event_input path using a stale substream or runtime and can end in a NULL-deref or use-after-free. Fix this with two pieces of synchronization. Keep a short IRQ-safe spinlock only for publishing or clearing output_rfile and for pairing the output snapshot with an snd_use_lock_t reference. Once event_process_midi() has taken that in-flight reference, it drops the spinlock before calling snd_seq_dump_var_event(), dump_midi(), or snd_rawmidi_kernel_write(). midisynth_unuse() now detaches the visible rawmidi file under the same spinlock, waits for the in-flight writers to drain, and only then drains and releases the saved file. midisynth_use() likewise opens into a local snd_rawmidi_file and publishes it only after snd_rawmidi_output_params() succeeds. The buggy scenario involves two paths, with each column showing the order within that path: event_input path: last unuse path: 1. event_process_midi() snapshots 1. midisynth_unuse() starts output_rfile.output. tearing down output_rfile. 2. dump_midi() reaches 2. snd_rawmidi_kernel_release() snd_rawmidi_kernel_write() closes the output file. before runtime is pinned. 3. close_substream() frees 3. The callback keeps using substream->runtime. the borrowed substream. Validation reproduced this kernel report: KASAN null-ptr-deref in snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1+0x56/0x360 RIP: 0033:0x7fde7dd0837f RIP: 0010:snd_rawmidi_kernel_write1+0x56/0x360
Title ALSA: seq: midi: Serialize output teardown with event_input
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

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Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-15T05:59:02.457Z

Reserved: 2026-08-15T05:44:03.890Z

Link: CVE-2026-74387

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-15T06:22:40.610

Modified: 2026-08-15T06:22:40.610

Link: CVE-2026-74387

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses

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