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

Input: evdev - zero absinfo before partial copy in EVIOCSABS

The EVIOCSABS handler copies at most the user supplied ioctl size into
an uninitialized on-stack struct input_absinfo:

if (copy_from_user(&abs, p, min_t(size_t,
size, sizeof(struct input_absinfo))))

The size comes from _IOC_SIZE() of the ioctl command and is therefore
fully controlled by userspace. A short size leaves the trailing part of
the structure holding whatever was on the kernel stack, and the whole
structure is then stored into the device:

dev->absinfo[t] = abs;

EVIOCGABS hands that back to userspace, disclosing the stale stack
bytes. Only the resolution field is currently cleared, which covers the
legacy struct layout but not an arbitrarily short size.

Zero the structure before the copy so any part not supplied by the
caller reads back as zero. The existing resolution fixup is kept, since
it also handles a size that partially overlaps that field.
Published: 2026-10-06
Score: 7.0 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Information Disclosure
Action: Apply Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

The Linux kernel evdev IOCTL handler copies user‑supplied data into an on‑stack struct without initializing the rest of the structure, allowing an attacker to pass a size smaller than the struct and cause stale kernel stack bytes to be stored in the device’s absinfo array. When the device is later read back, these stale bytes are returned to userspace, revealing memory that may contain secrets or other confidential data. This flaw results in information disclosure and is an instance of CWE‑908 weakness.

Affected Systems

The issue originates in the generic evdev subsystem present in all mainstream Linux kernel releases that have not applied the patch to zero the input_absinfo structure before copying. The vendor/product names are Linux:Linux, and the CPE indicates the entire kernel. The specific affected versions are not enumerated in the advisory, implying that any unpatched kernel built from source is vulnerable until the fix is deployed.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.0 is reported, indicating high severity. The EPSS score is < 1 %, indicating a very low probability of exploitation. The vulnerability is not catalogued in CISA KEV. Based on the description, the likely attack vector is local: any user with permission to access an evdev device can invoke the buggy EVIOCSABS ioctl and subsequently read the corrupted absinfo array via EVIOCGABS. Because the flaw does not provide code execution or privilege escalation, the overall risk is moderate, with a primary threat to confidentiality.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 9, 2026 at 16:50 UTC.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade the system’s Linux kernel to a release that includes the evdev patch that zeroes the input_absinfo buffer before copying
  • Reboot the machine to boot the updated kernel and ensure the new code is executing
  • Restrict access to the evdev device files (e.g., /dev/input/event*) by adjusting filesystem permissions or udev rules so that only trusted users can open them

Generated by OpenCVE AI on October 9, 2026 at 16:50 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4841-1 linux security update
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4850-1 linux-6.12 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6568-1 linux security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8961-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
History

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-200

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-908
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-200

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Input: evdev - zero absinfo before partial copy in EVIOCSABS The EVIOCSABS handler copies at most the user supplied ioctl size into an uninitialized on-stack struct input_absinfo: if (copy_from_user(&abs, p, min_t(size_t, size, sizeof(struct input_absinfo)))) The size comes from _IOC_SIZE() of the ioctl command and is therefore fully controlled by userspace. A short size leaves the trailing part of the structure holding whatever was on the kernel stack, and the whole structure is then stored into the device: dev->absinfo[t] = abs; EVIOCGABS hands that back to userspace, disclosing the stale stack bytes. Only the resolution field is currently cleared, which covers the legacy struct layout but not an arbitrarily short size. Zero the structure before the copy so any part not supplied by the caller reads back as zero. The existing resolution fixup is kept, since it also handles a size that partially overlaps that field.
Title Input: evdev - zero absinfo before partial copy in EVIOCSABS
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-10-19T09:15:36.157Z

Reserved: 2026-09-25T10:25:14.325Z

Link: CVE-2026-98205

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-10-06T09:18:06.547

Modified: 2026-10-19T10:18:21.170

Link: CVE-2026-98205

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-98205 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-10-09T17:00:09Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-908

    Use of Uninitialized Resource