CVE-2026-53034
Received Received - Intake
Null Pointer Dereference in Linux Kernel BPF sockmap

Publication date: 2026-06-24

Last updated on: 2026-06-24

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf, sockmap: Fix af_unix null-ptr-deref in proto update unix_stream_connect() sets sk_state (`WRITE_ONCE(sk->sk_state, TCP_ESTABLISHED)`) _before_ it assigns a peer (`unix_peer(sk) = newsk`). sk_state == TCP_ESTABLISHED makes sock_map_sk_state_allowed() believe that socket is properly set up, which would include having a defined peer. IOW, there's a window when unix_stream_bpf_update_proto() can be called on socket which still has unix_peer(sk) == NULL. CPU0 bpf CPU1 connect -------- ------------ WRITE_ONCE(sk->sk_state, TCP_ESTABLISHED) sock_map_sk_state_allowed(sk) ... sk_pair = unix_peer(sk) sock_hold(sk_pair) sock_hold(newsk) smp_mb__after_atomic() unix_peer(sk) = newsk BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000080 RIP: 0010:unix_stream_bpf_update_proto+0xa0/0x1b0 Call Trace: sock_map_link+0x564/0x8b0 sock_map_update_common+0x6e/0x340 sock_map_update_elem_sys+0x17d/0x240 __sys_bpf+0x26db/0x3250 __x64_sys_bpf+0x21/0x30 do_syscall_64+0x6b/0x3a0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x76/0x7e Initial idea was to move peer assignment _before_ the sk_state update[1], but that involved an additional memory barrier, and changing the hot path was rejected. Then a NULL check during proto update in unix_stream_bpf_update_proto() was considered[2], but the follow-up discussion[3] focused on the root cause, i.e. sockmap update taking a wrong lock. Or, more specifically, missing unix_state_lock()[4]. In the end it was concluded that teaching sockmap about the af_unix locking would be unnecessarily complex[5]. Complexity aside, since BPF_PROG_TYPE_SCHED_CLS and BPF_PROG_TYPE_SCHED_ACT are allowed to update sockmaps, sock_map_update_elem() taking the unix lock, as it is currently implemented in unix_state_lock(): spin_lock(&unix_sk(s)->lock), would be problematic. unix_state_lock() taken in a process context, followed by a softirq-context TC BPF program attempting to take the same spinlock -- deadlock[6]. This way we circled back to the peer check idea[2]. [1]: https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/[email protected]/ [2]: https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/[email protected]/ [3]: https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/[email protected]/ [4]: https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/CAAVpQUA+8GL_j63CaKb8hbxoL21izD58yr1NvhOhU=j+35+3og@mail.gmail.com/ [5]: https://lore.kernel.org/bpf/CAAVpQUAHijOMext28Gi10dSLuMzGYh+jK61Ujn+fZ-wvcODR2A@mail.gmail.com/ [6]: https://lore.kernel.org/bpf/[email protected]/ Summary of scenarios where af_unix/stream connect() may race a sockmap update: 1. connect() vs. bpf(BPF_MAP_UPDATE_ELEM), i.e. sock_map_update_elem_sys() Implemented NULL check is sufficient. Once assigned, socket peer won't be released until socket fd is released. And that's not an issue because sock_map_update_elem_sys() bumps fd refcnf. 2. connect() vs BPF program doing update Update restricted per verifier.c:may_update_sockmap() to BPF_PROG_TYPE_TRACING/BPF_TRACE_ITER BPF_PROG_TYPE_SOCK_OPS (bpf_sock_map_update() only) BPF_PROG_TYPE_SOCKET_FILTER BPF_PROG_TYPE_SCHED_CLS BPF_PROG_TYPE_SCHED_ACT BPF_PROG_TYPE_XDP BPF_PROG_TYPE_SK_REUSEPORT BPF_PROG_TYPE_FLOW_DISSECTOR BPF_PROG_TYPE_SK_LOOKUP Plus one more race to consider: CPU0 bpf CPU1 connect -------- ------------ WRITE_ONCE(sk->sk_state, TCP_ESTABLISHED) sock_map_sk_state_allowed(sk) sock_hold(newsk) smp_mb__after_atomic() ---truncated---
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
Probability:
Percentile:
Meta Information
Published
2026-06-24
Last Modified
2026-06-24
Generated
2026-06-25
AI Q&A
2026-06-24
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-53034
EUVD
EUVD-2026-38902
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel *
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
CWE Icon
KEV
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Quick Actions
Instant insights powered by AI
Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's handling of af_unix socket connections and BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) sockmap updates. Specifically, the issue arises because the socket state (sk_state) is set to TCP_ESTABLISHED before the socket's peer (unix_peer) is assigned. This creates a timing window where a BPF program can attempt to update the socket's protocol using unix_stream_bpf_update_proto() while the peer is still NULL, leading to a NULL pointer dereference and a kernel crash.

The root cause is a race condition between the connect() operation and BPF sockmap updates, where the socket state indicates the socket is fully set up but the peer assignment is not yet complete. Attempts to fix this by reordering assignments or adding locks were complicated by potential deadlocks and performance concerns, so a NULL check was implemented to mitigate the issue.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can cause a kernel NULL pointer dereference, which leads to a kernel crash (kernel panic) and system instability. An attacker or a malicious BPF program could exploit this race condition to cause denial of service by crashing the system.

Mitigation Strategies

The vulnerability involves a race condition in the Linux kernel's handling of af_unix socket connections and BPF sockmap updates, leading to a NULL pointer dereference.

Immediate mitigation steps include ensuring that your Linux kernel is updated to a version where this vulnerability has been fixed.

The fix involves adding a NULL check during the proto update in unix_stream_bpf_update_proto() and addressing locking issues related to sockmap updates.

Since the vulnerability is in the kernel code, applying the latest kernel patches or updates from your Linux distribution is the recommended immediate action.

Chat Assistant
Ask questions about this CVE
Hi! I’m here to help you understand CVE-2026-53034. Ask me anything about the vulnerability, its impact, or mitigation strategies.
0/70
EPSS Chart