---
id: "CVE-2026-99161"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-99161"]
title: "Linux kernel: VIA/WMT I2C driver leaks a clock reference on probe"
severity: "low"
cvss: null
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["embedded", "i2c", "infrastructure", "linux-kernel"]
not_affected_if: ["no-via-wmt-hardware"]
published_at: "2026-10-28T11:17:36+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-28T11:32:36+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-28T11:35:46+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-99161", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-28T11:32:36+00:00"}]
---

# Linux kernel: VIA/WMT I2C driver leaks a clock reference on probe

The Linux kernel's VIA/WMT I2C driver acquired its clock with of_clk_get() and never released it on probe failure or module unload, leaking a clock reference. The fix switches to devm_clk_get() so the clock is released automatically; the sources describe a resource leak, not code execution or data exposure.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Fix

- Update the Linux kernel to a release that includes the upstream commit 'i2c: viai2c-wmt: Fix clock leak in wmt_i2c_probe()'; the sources do not list fixed version numbers.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-28T11:32:36+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-99161

## From the sources

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

i2c: viai2c-wmt: Fix clock leak in wmt_i2c_probe()

In wmt_i2c_probe(), i2c->clk is acquired using of_clk_get(). If any
subsequent operation fails or when the module is unloaded, the clock
reference count is never decremented via clk_put(), leading to a
resource leak.

Switch to devm_clk_get() so that the clock is automatically managed
and released.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_