CVE-2026-89662
Received Received - Intake

Use-After-Free in Linux Kernel NFSD

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-89662, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-09-11

Last updated on: 2026-09-14

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: NFSD: Prevent lock owner use-after-free during client teardown __destroy_client() releases a client's open owners, but a lock owner whose only reference is a blocked lock (nbl) stays on cl_ownerstr_hashtbl. client_has_state() does not count a bare owner, so DESTROY_CLIENTID can reach __destroy_client() with such owners present. __destroy_client() then walks the table, calling remove_blocked_locks() on each owner without a reference. Freeing a blocked lock drops the owner reference held via flc_owner. The per-net laundromat reaps blocked locks from nn->blocked_locks_lru independently of client state. The two paths share blocked_locks_lock only for the list splice, not the owner's lifetime. The laundromat therefore frees the owner as __destroy_client() dereferences it, a NULL dereference in remove_blocked_locks(). nfsd4_release_lockowner() holds a reference across the same call; __destroy_client() does not. Hold cl_lock across the walk, taking a reference and unhashing each owner, then drop it before remove_blocked_locks() and nfs4_put_stateowner(), which take blocked_locks_lock and cl_lock.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-11
Last Modified
2026-09-14
Generated
2026-10-02
AI Q&A
2026-09-12
EPSS Evaluated
2026-09-30
NVD
EUVD

Affected Vendors & Products

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

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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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 NFS server (NFSD). It occurs during client teardown when a lock owner with only a blocked lock reference is improperly freed. The issue stems from concurrent access to blocked locks by the client teardown process and the per-net laundromat, leading to a NULL pointer dereference.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's NFS daemon (NFSD) and involves a use-after-free condition during client teardown. Detection requires kernel-level monitoring or logs indicating NFS server crashes or NULL pointer dereferences in the NFSD subsystem. Check kernel logs for messages related to nfsd, lock owners, or client state corruption.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could cause system crashes or kernel panics on systems running the affected Linux kernel version with NFS server functionality enabled. It may lead to denial-of-service conditions if exploited.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's NFS daemon (NFSD) and involves a use-after-free issue during client teardown. It does not directly impact compliance with standards like GDPR or HIPAA, as those regulations focus on data protection, privacy, and security controls rather than kernel-level memory management issues.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Linux kernel patches addressing this issue. If patching is not immediately possible, consider disabling NFS server functionality temporarily or restricting access to NFS shares until the fix is applied. Monitor kernel logs for signs of exploitation or crashes.

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