[PATCH v2] Input: atkbd - fix UAF in atkbd_set_repeat_rate() on disconnect

From: Jeffin Philip

Date: Fri Aug 28 2026 - 06:08:58 EST


Commit 0ef7a26af127 ("Input: atkbd - fix canceling event_work in disconnect")
moved cancel_delayed_work_sync() after input_unregister_device() on
the premise that events may arrive until input_unregister_device returns.

However, this created a UAF as work that may have passed the
atkbd->enabled check in atkbd_event_work() may attempt to dereference dev
which is freed in input_unregister_device(). Reverting the commit also
does not solve the issue as events may still come through and pass the
enabled check as atkbd_disable() and event_work() guard with different
locks. Fix this by closing the hardware first using serio_close()
and then unregistering to prevent work from executing after
input_unregister_device(). serio_close() closes the device preventing
work from arriving. Additionally add a check for atkbd->enabled in
atkbd_event() to prevent userspace from queuing new events after
atkbd_disable() sets atkbd->enabled to false.

Reported-by: syzbot+1e2ef9bcb29af666b2e6@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Closes: https://syzkaller.appspot.com/bug?extid=1e2ef9bcb29af666b2e6
Fixes: 0ef7a26af127 ("Input: atkbd - fix canceling event_work in disconnect")
Signed-off-by: Jeffin Philip <jeffinphilip14@xxxxxxxxx>
---
Changelog:
- Changes in v2:
Added a check for atkbd->enabled so userspace cannot queue events after
atkbd_disable.
Link to v1: https://lore.kernel.org/all/20260828080839.116065-1-jeffinphilip14@xxxxxxxxx/T/#u
---
drivers/input/keyboard/atkbd.c | 18 +++++++++++-------
1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/drivers/input/keyboard/atkbd.c b/drivers/input/keyboard/atkbd.c
index 5736f4bc5a50..79e4cd9ee1db 100644
--- a/drivers/input/keyboard/atkbd.c
+++ b/drivers/input/keyboard/atkbd.c
@@ -672,6 +672,9 @@ static int atkbd_event(struct input_dev *dev,
if (!atkbd->write)
return -1;

+ if (!atkbd->enabled)
+ return -1;
+
switch (type) {
case EV_LED:
atkbd_schedule_event_work(atkbd, ATKBD_LED_EVENT_BIT);
@@ -963,17 +966,18 @@ static void atkbd_disconnect(struct serio *serio)

atkbd_disable(atkbd);

- input_unregister_device(atkbd->dev);
-
/*
- * Make sure we don't have a command in flight.
- * Note that since atkbd->enabled is false event work will keep
- * rescheduling itself until it gets canceled and will not try
- * accessing freed input device or serio port.
+ * close serio first so device will not get any data, which prevents
+ * atkbd_event_work from being rescheduled after cancel_delayed_work_sync
+ * returns. This ensures no work can dereference atkbd->dev after it has
+ * been freed.
*/
- cancel_delayed_work_sync(&atkbd->event_work);

serio_close(serio);
+ cancel_delayed_work_sync(&atkbd->event_work);
+
+ input_unregister_device(atkbd->dev);
+
serio_set_drvdata(serio, NULL);
kfree(atkbd);
}
--
2.55.0