CVE-2026-23467: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/i915/dmc: Fix an unlikely NULL pointer deference at probe intel_dmc_update_d...

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/i915/dmc: Fix an unlikely NULL pointer deference at probe intel_dmc_update_dc6_allowed_count() oopses when DMC hasn't been initialized, and dmc is thus NULL. That would be the case when the call path is intel_power_domains_init_hw() -> {skl,bxt,icl}_display_core_init() -> gen9_set_dc_state() -> intel_dmc_update_dc6_allowed_count(), as intel_power_domains_init_hw() is called *before* intel_dmc_init(). However, gen9_set_dc_state() calls intel_dmc_update_dc6_allowed_count() conditionally, depending on the current and target DC states. At probe, the target is disabled, but if DC6 is enabled, the function is called, and an oops follows. Apparently it's quite unlikely that DC6 is enabled at probe, as we haven't seen this failure mode before. It is also strange to have DC6 enabled at boot, since that would require the DMC firmware (loaded by BIOS); the BIOS loading the DMC firmware and the driver stopping / reprogramming the firmware is a poorly specified sequence and as such unlikely an intentional BIOS behaviour. It's more likely that BIOS is leaving an unintentionally enabled DC6 HW state behind (without actually loading the required DMC firmware for this). The tracking of the DC6 allowed counter only works if starting / stopping the counter depends on the _SW_ DC6 state vs. the current _HW_ DC6 state (since stopping the counter requires the DC5 counter captured when the counter was started). Thus, using the HW DC6 state is incorrect and it also leads to the above oops. Fix both issues by using the SW DC6 state for the tracking. This is v2 of the fix originally sent by Jani, updated based on the first Link: discussion below. (cherry picked from commit 2344b93af8eb5da5d496b4e0529d35f0f559eaf0)

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.12%

2.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-476

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 6.16, < 6.18.20	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 6.19, < 6.19.10	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	7.0	Rc1

References

Timeline

Published: Apr 3, 2026
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-23467?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/i915/dmc: Fix an unlikely NULL pointer deference at probe intel_dmc_update_dc6_allowed_count() oopses when DMC hasn't been initialized, and dmc is thus NULL. That would be the case when the call path is intel_power_domains_init_hw() -> {skl,bxt,icl}_display_core_init() -> gen9_set_dc_state() -> intel_dmc_update_dc6_allowed_count(), as intel_power_domains_init_hw() is called *before* intel_dmc_init(). However, gen9_set_dc_state() calls intel_dmc_update_dc6_allowed_count() conditionally, depending on the current and target DC states. At probe, the target is disabled, but if DC6 is enabled, the function is called, and an oops follows. Apparently it's quite unlikely that DC6 is enabled at probe, as we haven't seen this failure mode before. It is also strange to have DC6 enabled at boot, since that would require the DMC firmware (loaded by BIOS); the BIOS loading the DMC firmware and the driver stopping / reprogramming the firmware is a poorly specified sequence and as such unlikely an intentional BIOS behaviour. It's more likely that BIOS is leaving an unintentionally enabled DC6 HW state behind (without actually loading the required DMC firmware for this). The tracking of the DC6 allowed counter only works if starting / stopping the counter depends on the _SW_ DC6 state vs. the current _HW_ DC6 state (since stopping the counter requires the DC5 counter captured when the counter was started). Thus, using the HW DC6 state is incorrect and it also leads to the above oops. Fix both issues by using the SW DC6 state for the tracking. This is v2 of the fix originally sent by Jani, updated based on the first Link: discussion below. (cherry picked from commit 2344b93af8eb5da5d496b4e0529d35f0f559eaf0)

How severe is CVE-2026-23467?

CVE-2026-23467 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.12% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-23467?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.