CVE-2026-23012
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2026-01-25

Last updated on: 2026-03-25

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/damon/core: remove call_control in inactive contexts If damon_call() is executed against a DAMON context that is not running, the function returns error while keeping the damon_call_control object linked to the context's call_controls list. Let's suppose the object is deallocated after the damon_call(), and yet another damon_call() is executed against the same context. The function tries to add the new damon_call_control object to the call_controls list, which still has the pointer to the previous damon_call_control object, which is deallocated. As a result, use-after-free happens. This can actually be triggered using the DAMON sysfs interface. It is not easily exploitable since it requires the sysfs write permission and making a definitely weird file writes, though. Please refer to the report for more details about the issue reproduction steps. Fix the issue by making two changes. Firstly, move the final kdamond_call() for cancelling all existing damon_call() requests from terminating DAMON context to be done before the ctx->kdamond reset. This makes any code that sees NULL ctx->kdamond can safely assume the context may not access damon_call() requests anymore. Secondly, let damon_call() to cleanup the damon_call_control objects that were added to the already-terminated DAMON context, before returning the error.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-01-25
Last Modified
2026-03-25
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-01-25
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-23012
EUVD
EUVD-2026-4617
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 10 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.19
linux linux_kernel 6.17
linux linux_kernel From 6.17.1 (inc) to 6.18.7 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-416 The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in the Linux kernel's DAMON subsystem. When damon_call() is executed on a DAMON context that is inactive, it returns an error but leaves a pointer to a deallocated damon_call_control object linked in the context's call_controls list. If another damon_call() is then executed on the same context, it tries to add a new damon_call_control object to the list, which still contains the pointer to the freed object, causing a use-after-free condition.

Impact Analysis

The use-after-free vulnerability could potentially lead to undefined behavior such as kernel crashes or memory corruption. However, exploitation is not straightforward because it requires sysfs write permissions and unusual file writes. Therefore, while it poses a risk, it is not easily exploitable under normal conditions.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, update the Linux kernel to a version that includes the fix for the DAMON use-after-free issue. The fix involves changes to the damon_call() handling in the kernel, so applying the latest kernel patches or upgrading to a fixed kernel version is recommended. Additionally, restrict sysfs write permissions to prevent unauthorized triggering of the vulnerability.

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