CVE Catalog

CVE-2026-97969

Unknown
Published: Translated: NVD NIST

Summary

In the Linux kernel, the msc313e watchdog driver has two severe bugs in the settimeout() function: clock leak and spurious timer start. The function msc313e_wdt_settimeout() unconditionally calls msc313e_wdt_start(), which increases the clock reference count when the watchdog is already active, and starts the timer when the watchdog is stopped. The fix factors out the register-writing logic into a helper and calls it only if the watchdog is running.

Risk Assessment

The vulnerability can lead to clock leak, potentially causing power management issues, and spurious timer start, which can disrupt system operation.

Recommendation

It is recommended to update the Linux kernel to a version containing the fix that calls the start function only when the watchdog is active.

Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel

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Original NVD description (English source)

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: watchdog: msc313e: Fix clock leak and spurious timer in settimeout() msc313e_wdt_settimeout() unconditionally calls msc313e_wdt_start() which introduces two severe bugs: 1. If the watchdog is already active, calling start() again will increase the reference count of the clock again. However stop() is only called once, the reference count is unbalance. 2. If the watchdog is stopped, calling settimeout() will start the hardware timer accidentally. Factor out the register-writing logic into a helper function. Only call it in settimeout() if the watchdog is running. Otherwise, simply update `wdev->timeout`.

Vulnerability data from NVD (NIST) · CISA KEV · EPSS