CVE-2026-74589
Received Received - Intake

Use-After-Free in Linux Kernel BPF sockmap

Publication date: 2026-08-22

Last updated on: 2026-08-22

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf, sockmap: Fix sk_redir use-after-free in send verdict sk_psock_msg_verdict() takes a socket reference for psock->sk_redir. tcp_bpf_send_verdict() copies that pointer while holding the source socket lock, but does not take a reference for the local copy before dropping the lock around tcp_bpf_sendmsg_redir(). When apply_bytes keeps the cached verdict active, another sendmsg() on the same source socket can consume the remaining bytes and release the cached reference while the first thread still holds only the raw local pointer: CPU 0 CPU 1 sk_redir = psock->sk_redir apply_bytes remains nonzero release_sock(sk) lock_sock(sk) apply_bytes reaches zero psock->sk_redir = NULL release_sock(sk) tcp_bpf_sendmsg_redir(sk_redir) sock_put(sk_redir) tcp_bpf_sendmsg_redir(sk_redir) The final sock_put() can free sk_redir before CPU 0 dereferences it. KASAN reported: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in tcp_bpf_sendmsg_redir+0xf39/0x1020 Read of size 8 at addr ffff888108537090 by task poc/87 Call Trace: tcp_bpf_sendmsg_redir+0xf39/0x1020 tcp_bpf_sendmsg+0x977/0x1a50 __sys_sendto+0x32c/0x3a0 __x64_sys_sendto+0xdb/0x1b0 Allocated by task 85: sk_prot_alloc+0x56/0x210 sk_clone+0x6f/0x14b0 inet_csk_clone_lock+0x24/0x740 tcp_create_openreq_child+0x25/0x2710 tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock+0x10a/0xe00 Freed by task 0: __kasan_slab_free+0x43/0x70 slab_free_after_rcu_debug+0xa6/0x1e0 rcu_core+0x50a/0x1850 Last potentially related work creation: __sk_destruct+0x3da/0x540 sk_psock_destroy+0x81e/0xab0 process_one_work+0x63a/0x1070 Take a temporary socket reference while the source socket lock still protects psock->sk_redir, and drop it after tcp_bpf_sendmsg_redir() returns. This keeps each unlocked use independent of cached-verdict ownership.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-22
Last Modified
2026-08-22
Generated
2026-08-22
AI Q&A
2026-08-22
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-74589
EUVD
EUVD-2026-64526

Affected Vendors & Products

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

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Exploitability

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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) sockmap functionality. It occurs when the sk_redir socket reference is accessed after it has been freed due to improper reference counting in concurrent send operations.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's BPF and sockmap functionality. Detection requires checking kernel logs for KASAN reports or kernel oops messages indicating use-after-free in tcp_bpf_sendmsg_redir. Monitor system logs for crashes or unexpected behavior in network-related processes.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to cause a denial-of-service condition or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems using BPF sockmap features are at risk of system crashes or privilege escalation.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest kernel patches from your Linux distribution to resolve the issue. If immediate patching is not possible, consider disabling BPF and sockmap functionality by unloading the relevant kernel modules (e.g., bpfilter, sockmap) or restricting access to BPF operations via kernel parameters.

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