CVE-2026-46246
HIGHIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: power: supply: pm8916_lbc: Fix use-after-free for extcon in IRQ handler Using the `devm_` variant for requesting…
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
power: supply: pm8916_lbc: Fix use-after-free for extcon in IRQ handler
Using the devm_ variant for requesting IRQ before the devm_
variant for allocating/registering the extcon handle, means that the
extcon handle will be deallocated/unregistered before the interrupt
handler (since devm_ naturally deallocates in reverse allocation
order). This means that during removal, there is a race condition where
an interrupt can fire just after the extcon handle has been
freed, but just before the corresponding unregistration of the IRQ
handler has run.
This will lead to the IRQ handler calling extcon_set_state_sync() with
a freed extcon handle. Which usually crashes the system or otherwise
silently corrupts the memory...
Fix this racy use-after-free by making sure the IRQ is requested after
the registration of the extcon handle.
Affected Products
linux kernellinuxDetection & mitigation playbook
Vendor / applianceDetect
Inventory every linux linux kernel deployment and check each version against the affected-products list above. Because the exploit targets the running system rather than your application code, also watch for exploitation at the network and runtime layer — O3 flags the exploit behaviour from runtime telemetry and egress traffic even before a vulnerable build is confirmed.
Fix
Apply the linux linux kernel security patch or hotfix for CVE-2026-46246 on the affected version, following the vendor advisory for your exact build.
Workarounds
Cut exposure now: restrict the management/admin interface to trusted networks, segment the device, and apply the vendor's recommended configuration mitigations and any WAF/IPS signature. O3's runtime protection blocks the exploit chain at execution, holding the line on unpatched or end-of-life systems until you can patch.
How O3 protects you
O3 detects and blocks CVE-2026-46246 exploitation at runtime: eBPF exploit-chain detection, plus L7 egress monitoring that catches the post-exploitation callback and severs the attacker's outbound channel.
Tailored to CVE-2026-46246. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2026-46246 being exploited in your environment?
O3's eBPF runtime sensors and L7 egress monitoring detect and block the CVE-2026-46246 exploit chain at execution — protecting unpatched and end-of-life systems until the vendor patch is applied.