CVE-2026-64496
Received Received - Intake

Race Condition in Linux Kernel IIO Event FIFO Handling

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-64496, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-07-25

Last updated on: 2026-07-27

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iio: event: Fix event FIFO reset race `iio_event_getfd()` creates the event file descriptor with `anon_inode_getfd()`, which allocates a new fd, creates the anonymous file and installs it in the process fd table before returning to the caller. The IIO code resets the event FIFO after `anon_inode_getfd()` has returned, but before `IIO_GET_EVENT_FD_IOCTL` has copied the fd number to userspace. But since fd tables are shared between threads, another thread can guess the newly allocated fd number and issue a `read()` on it as soon as the fd has been installed. This means the `kfifo_to_user()` in `iio_event_chrdev_read()` can run in parallel with the `kfifo_reset_out()` in `iio_event_getfd()`. The kfifo documentation says that `kfifo_reset_out()` is only safe when it is called from the reader thread and there is only one concurrent reader. Otherwise it is dangerous and must be handled in the same way as `kfifo_reset()`. If that happens, `kfifo_to_user()` can advance the FIFO `out` index based on state from before the reset, after the reset has already moved the `out` index to the current `in` index. That can leave the FIFO with an `out` index past the `in` index. A later `read()` can then see an underflowed FIFO length and copy more data than the event FIFO buffer contains. This can result in an out-of-bounds read and leak adjacent kernel memory to userspace. Move the FIFO reset before `anon_inode_getfd()`. At that point the event fd is marked busy, but the new fd has not been installed yet, so userspace cannot access it while the FIFO is reset.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-07-25
Last Modified
2026-07-27
Generated
2026-08-14
AI Q&A
2026-07-25
EPSS Evaluated
2026-08-13
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel *

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves a race condition in the IIO event FIFO handling. The issue occurs when the event file descriptor is created and installed in the process fd table before the FIFO is reset. Another thread can guess the new fd number and read from it before the reset completes, leading to a parallel execution of kfifo_to_user and kfifo_reset_out. This can cause an out-of-bounds read and leak adjacent kernel memory to userspace.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's IIO event subsystem and does not have a direct network detection method. Detection requires checking kernel versions and examining the IIO event code for the race condition described. Use commands like 'uname -a' to check kernel version and 'dmesg' or 'journalctl' for kernel logs indicating issues with IIO events.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow an attacker with local access to read sensitive kernel memory, potentially exposing confidential data or enabling further exploits. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions may be at risk of information disclosure.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds read in the Linux kernel's IIO event FIFO, which could leak adjacent kernel memory to userspace. Such memory leaks may expose sensitive data, potentially violating confidentiality requirements under GDPR and HIPAA if personal or health information is involved.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest kernel update from your Linux distribution to ensure the fix is in place. If an update is not immediately available, avoid using IIO event interfaces in multi-threaded applications until patched. Monitor kernel security advisories for updates.

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