CVE-2026-97446

/// Technical description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ACPICA: Fix NULL pointer dereference in acpi_ns_custom_package()

acpi_ns_custom_package() unconditionally dereferences the first element

of the package to read the _BIX version number, without checking for

NULL:

if ((*Elements)->Common.Type != ACPI_TYPE_INTEGER)

When firmware returns a _BIX package whose first element is an

unresolvable reference, ACPICA evaluates that entry to NULL.

acpi_ns_remove_null_elements() does not strip NULL entries for

ACPI_PTYPE_CUSTOM packages (fixed-position format would break if

elements were shifted), so acpi_ns_custom_package() sees the NULL

and causes a crash.

Add a NULL check for the first element (version field) before

dereferencing it. The caller then receives AE_AML_OPERAND_TYPE

instead of crashing.

/// Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

/// References