CVE-2026-68160
Received Received - Intake

Out-of-Bounds Read in Ceph Linux Kernel

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-68160, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-08-10

Last updated on: 2026-08-10

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ceph: fix pre-auth out-of-bounds read on snaptrace in ceph_handle_caps() ceph_handle_caps() reads snap_trace_len from the wire-format ceph_mds_caps header and uses it unconditionally to build a fake end pointer (snaptrace + snaptrace_len) that is later handed to ceph_update_snap_trace() in the CEPH_CAP_OP_IMPORT case: snaptrace = h + 1; snaptrace_len = le32_to_cpu(h->snap_trace_len); p = snaptrace + snaptrace_len; ... case CEPH_CAP_OP_IMPORT: if (snaptrace_len) { ... if (ceph_update_snap_trace(mdsc, snaptrace, snaptrace + snaptrace_len, false, &realm)) { ... } ceph_update_snap_trace() then decodes a struct ceph_mds_snap_realm from snaptrace using ceph_decode_need(&p, e, sizeof(*ri), bad) with the attacker-supplied fake end e == snaptrace + snaptrace_len. With snaptrace_len == 0xFFFFFFFF the bound check is trivially satisfied, ri = p reads sizeof(struct ceph_mds_snap_realm) past the legitimate msg->front buffer, and ri->num_snaps / ri->num_prior_parent_snaps then drive further out-of-bounds reads of the encoded snap arrays. The eleven msg_version >= 2 .. msg_version >= 12 decoder blocks above the op switch each catch this OOB through their ceph_decode_*_safe() / ceph_decode_need() helpers, but they sit behind a hdr.version-gated if, so a malicious or compromised MDS that sets msg->hdr.version = 1 reaches the IMPORT path with no version-gated decoder having validated snap_trace_len. The shape has been present since ceph_handle_caps() was introduced. Validate snap_trace_len against the message front buffer before consuming it, using the canonical ceph_decode_need() / ceph_has_room() helper. The helper bounds the length with subtraction (n <= end - p, guarded by end >= p) rather than pointer addition, so it is wrap-safe for the attacker-controlled u32 length on 32-bit builds where p + snap_trace_len could overflow the address space. This matches the rest of the ceph decode path (e.g. the pool_ns_len check a few lines below), and the existing goto bad cleanup already covers this exit path.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-10
Last Modified
2026-08-10
Generated
2026-08-10
AI Q&A
2026-08-10
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
ceph ceph *

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Ceph file system component. It involves an out-of-bounds read issue in the ceph_handle_caps() function. The flaw occurs when processing snap_trace_len from network data without proper validation. An attacker can manipulate this length to read beyond the intended memory buffer, potentially accessing sensitive data or causing system instability.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's Ceph filesystem handling. Detection requires checking kernel logs for crashes or errors related to ceph_handle_caps() or snap_trace_len. Use commands like dmesg | grep ceph or journalctl -k | grep ceph to inspect kernel logs for anomalies.

Impact Analysis

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to read sensitive memory contents, crash the system, or potentially escalate privileges. It specifically affects systems using Ceph for distributed storage, particularly when interacting with malicious or compromised Metadata Servers (MDS).

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the Linux kernel patch that validates snap_trace_len against the message front buffer. Update to a patched kernel version. If immediate patching is not possible, restrict access to Ceph services or disable Ceph capabilities until the patch is applied.

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