CVE-2026-89705
Received Received - Intake

Race Condition in Linux Kernel NFS Server

Vulnerability report for CVE-2026-89705, including description, CVSS score, EPSS score, affected products, exploitability, helpful resources, and attack-flow context.

Publication date: 2026-09-11

Last updated on: 2026-09-11

Assigner: kernel.org

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfsd: restore rq_status_counter to even on all nfsd_dispatch() exit paths nfsd_dispatch() sets rq_status_counter to an odd value once a request has been decoded, and back to an even value once it has been fully processed, forming a seq-lock like protocol with the lockless reader in nfsd_nl_rpc_status_get_dumpit(). Only the fully successful path restored the counter to even. The cache-hit (RC_REPLY), drop (RC_DROPIT / RQ_DROPME) and encode-error paths all return after the odd-valued store without ever bringing the counter back to even. Once one of those paths is taken, rq_status_counter is left odd: the next request's decode ORs in 1 (still odd) and only a subsequent successful encode restores even. While stuck odd, the dumpit reader treats the rqstp fields as stable and its retry check compares against the same unchanging odd value, so it never detects concurrent mutation. This exposes actively mutating fields (e.g. args->ops / args->opcnt during compound decode and release) to the lockless reader, which can read past the end of the 8-element inline ops array. Add a helper that advances the counter to the next even value and call it on every return path that follows the odd-valued store. The decode-error path is left untouched as it is reached before the counter is set odd.

CVSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-11
Last Modified
2026-09-11
Generated
2026-09-12
AI Q&A
2026-09-12
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

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves the nfsd_dispatch() function failing to properly reset a status counter (rq_status_counter) to an even value on all exit paths. Normally, the counter is set to odd during request decoding and restored to even after processing. However, certain paths like cache-hit, drop, or encode-error leave the counter odd, causing the lockless reader to treat unstable fields as stable and potentially read corrupted data.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's NFS server implementation and may not have direct detection commands. Monitoring for unusual NFS server behavior or crashes after handling NFS requests could indicate exploitation. Check kernel logs for nfsd-related errors or warnings using commands like dmesg | grep nfsd or journalctl -u nfs-server.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data or system instability if an attacker exploits it to read corrupted or inconsistent data from the NFS server. Systems relying on NFS for file sharing may experience crashes, data corruption, or information leaks if the vulnerability is triggered.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Linux kernel patches that address this issue. If patches are unavailable, consider disabling the NFS server service temporarily until an update is applied. Monitor vendor advisories for updates related to CVE-2026-89705.

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