# CVE-2026-53403: fbdev: Fix fb\_new\_modelist to prevent null-ptr-deref in fb\_videomode\_to\_var

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2026-07-19 · Updated: 2026-08-17

## Affected

- Linux: version range not reported
- Linux: 2.6.12

## Description

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. Keep the current mode in the list in fb_new_modelist(), the same way fb_set_var() does.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Linux kernel, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
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## Related

- Browse: [Linux kernel](https://cve.now/tech/linux-kernel.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1458a4d804550b7101e8bb02c1cb941088e4c0c7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8707f02ac9f5f632039b60df2c9f3dc914709f72
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0d8c7f21ad8529d5c181e61f86be35b887ae2e4d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7640b4f68acb54c2c4f6b4a8aee0e9849dacd929
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f1a7fe8ba845cb7d39580755f78c3b7b9a0b61e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eea16b6f805c0b1fb2f72f0f771088ea45356956
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/88913059c77e171f44ba829282d42dde0d458811
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7f08fc10fa3d3366dc3af723970bd03d7d6d10e3

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