CVE-2026-64002

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Memory Leak in Linux Kernel IPv4 Sysctl

Publication date: 2026-07-19

Last updated on: 2026-10-08

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: free net->ipv4.sysctl_local_reserved_ports after unregister_net_sysctl_table() ipv4_sysctl_exit_net() is currently freeing net->ipv4.sysctl_local_reserved_ports too soon. Only after unregister_net_sysctl_table() we can be sure no threads can possibly use the sysctls, including /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_local_reserved_ports.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

Meta Information

Published

2026-07-19

Last Modified

2026-10-08

Generated

2026-10-09

AI Q&A

2026-07-19

EPSS Evaluated

2026-10-07

NVD

CVE-2026-64002

EUVD

EUVD-2026-45575

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
linux	linux_kernel	7.1
linux	linux_kernel	7.1
linux	linux_kernel	7.1
linux	linux_kernel	7.1
linux	linux_kernel	From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.176 (exc)
linux	linux_kernel	From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.35 (exc)
linux	linux_kernel	From 6.2 (inc) to 6.6.143 (exc)
linux	linux_kernel	From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.93 (exc)
linux	linux_kernel	From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.210 (exc)
linux	linux_kernel	7.1
linux	linux_kernel	From 3.16 (inc) to 5.10.259 (exc)
linux	linux_kernel	From 6.19 (inc) to 7.0.12 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves a use-after-free issue where net->ipv4.sysctl_local_reserved_ports is freed too early in ipv4_sysctl_exit_net(). The problem occurs because the memory is freed before unregister_net_sysctl_table() completes, potentially allowing threads to still access the sysctl, including /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_local_reserved_ports.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is related to a memory management issue in the Linux kernel's IPv4 sysctl handling. Detection primarily involves checking kernel logs for related errors or verifying the kernel version against patched releases. Commands like 'uname -a' can show your kernel version, and 'dmesg | grep sysctl' may reveal related errors.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could lead to system instability or crashes if memory is accessed after being freed. It may also allow unauthorized access to network configuration settings if the sysctl remains accessible during the race condition.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability does not directly affect compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or similar standards. It involves a memory management issue in the Linux kernel related to IPv4 sysctl table cleanup, which does not impact data protection, privacy, or security controls typically governed by these regulations.

Mitigation Strategies

Update the Linux kernel to a patched version that resolves the issue with ipv4_sysctl_exit_net(). This ensures proper cleanup of net->ipv4.sysctl_local_reserved_ports after unregister_net_sysctl_table().

Hi! I’m here to help you understand CVE-2026-64002. Ask me anything about the vulnerability, its impact, or mitigation strategies.

0/70