CVE-2026-74424: fbcon: fix NULL pointer dereference for a console without vc_data

Severity: unknown
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.2% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-08-15 · updated 2026-08-18

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbcon: fix NULL pointer dereference for a console without vc_data fbcon_new_modelist() runs when a framebuffer's modelist changes. For each console mapped to it with fb_display[i].mode set, it reads vc_cons[i].d and passes the vc_num to fbcon_set_disp(). This assumes a console with a mode set has a vc_data, but it can be NULL. fbcon_set_disp() sets fb_display[i].mode before it checks vc_data, and fbcon_deinit() leaves the mode set after the vc_data is freed. fbcon_new_modelist() then dereferences the NULL vc_data. Keep fb_display[i].mode set only while the console has a vc_data. Check vc_data before setting the mode in fbcon_set_disp(), and clear the mode in fbcon_deinit(). The existing mode check in fbcon_new_modelist() then skips such consoles.

Affected products

Linux kernel: 2.6.23 — fixed in 7.2

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Linux kernel 7.2. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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