CVE-2026-80753
Received Received - Intake

Race Condition in OpenVPN Kernel Module

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-80753, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-09-03

Last updated on: 2026-09-03

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ovpn: run deferred work on a module-owned workqueue ovpn queues several work items whose callbacks execute module text. These works currently run on the global system workqueues, so module exit has no driver-owned drain point that guarantees the callbacks have fully returned before the module text can be freed. Object references protect the objects used by the callbacks, but they do not prove that a workqueue function has returned. In particular, a worker can drop the final reference that unblocks device teardown while it is still executing ovpn code. Add a module-owned workqueue and queue all ovpn work items on it. During module exit, unregister rtnl and netlink first, flush the workqueue so ordinary ovpn workers finish, run the final RCU barrier, and destroy the workqueue last. This keeps the workqueue available for cleanup work queued from RCU callbacks, while ensuring no ovpn work item can outlive the module text. The per-device delayed keepalive work remains explicitly disabled during netdev teardown (disable_delayed_work_sync in ndo_uninit), since flush_workqueue does not flush delayed work that is still only pending on its timer.

CVSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-03
Last Modified
2026-09-03
Generated
2026-09-03
AI Q&A
2026-09-03
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

Currently, no data is known.

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

Attack-Flow Graph

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves improper handling of deferred work in the OpenVPN (ovpn) module. Work items queued for execution may run on global system workqueues, which can lead to module exit occurring before these work items finish. This risks executing module code after the module text is freed, potentially causing system instability or crashes.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's OpenVPN (ovpn) module. Detection requires checking if your kernel version includes the vulnerable code path. Use commands like 'uname -a' to check kernel version and 'lsmod | grep ovpn' to see if the module is loaded. If the module is loaded, inspect kernel logs for ovpn-related errors or warnings.

Impact Analysis

The vulnerability could lead to system crashes or instability if the OpenVPN module is unloaded while work items are still executing. This may disrupt network connectivity or services relying on the module, potentially causing data loss or denial of service.

Mitigation Strategies

Update your Linux kernel to a version that includes the fix for CVE-2026-80753. If the ovpn module is loaded, consider unloading it with 'modprobe -r ovpn' until a patched kernel is installed. Monitor kernel updates from your distribution and apply them promptly.

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