The latest release of the Linux kernel includes significant updates with specific fixes and improvements across various parts. For instance, audio problems in the ALSA system have been addressed through a commit that prevents integer overflow issues, while another patch fixed a NULL pointer dereference bug in the HDA audio driver's cs35l41 module. Additionally, developers worked on making other areas more robust by applying patches to improve USB device handling and preventing potential crashes tied to uninitialized pointers.

Linux kernel 6.18.2 released
Linux kernel 6.17.13 released
Linux kernel 6.12.63 released

Linux Kernel 6.18.2, 6.17.13, and 6.12.63 released

Linux 6.18.2 has dropped, representing another significant update for the kernel's ongoing development.



It wasn't just a routine release; digging into what changed shows plenty of specific updates and fixes across different parts. The release notes are full of details addressing particular issues. For example, there were some solid improvements in handling audio problems within the ALSA system itself. A commit specifically fixed an integer overflow issue in one of the wavefront drivers, basically a change to prevent a potential crash by carefully managing sample size validation.

Elsewhere, another patch landed for the HDA audio driver's cs35l41 module, tackling that pesky NULL pointer dereference bug when it tries accessing already freed memory. This kind of fix helps avoid system instability right there.

The USB side also got some good attention from developers. Patches were applied to improve how devices are handled and ports set up initially. One notable tweak ensures the struct usb_phy list_head is properly initialized during setup, adding a safety net for when devices get removed, preventing that potential crash tied to uninitialized pointers down the line.

More generally, folks worked on making other areas more robust. Think of it like reinforcing different parts of a complex building. A fix in the UCSI driver (dealing with USB-C power) involved canceling certain delayed tasks during removal; this prevents one type of error that could happen after resources are freed.

Beyond these examples, there were fixes for buffer overflows and data corruption issues elsewhere too. Plus, work continues on drivers themselves, like improvements to the USB gadget's tegra-xudc module, and patches landed to update bits related to efi/cper code, bringing things in line with recent UEFI spec changes.

So, Linux 6.18.2 is another step forward for the kernel, highlighting how many people contribute to keep this open-source core stable and functional.

Also out today: Linux Kernel versions 6.17.13 and 6.12.63.

Linux kernel 6.18.2 released

Linux kernel version 6.18.2 is now available:

Full source: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.18.2.tar.xz
Patch: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/patch-6.18.2.xz
PGP Signature: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.18.2.tar.sign

You can view the summary of the changes at the following URL:
https://git.kernel.org/stable/ds/v6.18.2/v6.18.1

Linux kernel 6.17.13 released

Linux kernel version 6.17.13 is now available:

Full source: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.17.13.tar.xz
Patch: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/patch-6.17.13.xz
PGP Signature: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.17.13.tar.sign

You can view the summary of the changes at the following URL:
https://git.kernel.org/stable/ds/v6.17.13/v6.17.12

Linux kernel 6.12.63 released

Linux kernel version 6.12.63 is now available:

Full source: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.12.63.tar.xz
Patch: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/patch-6.12.63.xz
PGP Signature: https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.12.63.tar.sign

You can view the summary of the changes at the following URL:
https://git.kernel.org/stable/ds/v6.12.63/v6.12.62