Skip to main content

Linux Kernel CVE-2026-74692

| EUVDEUVD-2026-64379 HIGH
2026-08-22 Linux GHSA-r9r5-95ff-67hq
7.5
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: Linux
Share

Severity by source

Vendor (Linux) PRIMARY
7.5 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
vuln.today AI
5.9 MEDIUM

Race condition requires timing TCP connections against server close() window, warranting AC:H; no authentication, confidentiality, or integrity impact applies.

3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
4.0 AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (Linux).

CVSS VectorVendor: Linux

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

5
Analysis Generated
Aug 25, 2026 - 07:17 vuln.today
CVSS changed
Aug 25, 2026 - 06:22 NVD
7.5 (HIGH)
Patch available
Aug 22, 2026 - 16:01 EUVD
CVE Published
Aug 22, 2026 - 15:32 cve.org
HIGH 7.5
CVE Published
Aug 22, 2026 - 15:32 cve.org
UNKNOWN (no severity yet)

DescriptionCVE.org

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net/smc: fix TOCTOU race between smc_listen_out() and listener close

smc_listen_out() reads lsmc->sk.sk_state without the listener lock, then acquires lock_sock_nested() only after the check passes. This opens a window where smc_close_active() can transition the listener to SMC_CLOSED, call smc_close_cleanup_listen() to drain the accept queue, and release the lock, all between the lockless read and the delayed lock acquisition:

smc_listen_work (smc_hs_wq) smc_close_active() ------------------------------- ------------------------- release_sock(child) if (sk_state == SMC_LISTEN) TRUE lock_sock(listener) sk_state = SMC_CLOSED smc_close_cleanup_listen() release_sock(listener) flush_work(tcp_listen_work) lock_sock_nested(listener) smc_accept_enqueue(listener, child) /* child enqueued on dead listener */

smc_close_active() flushes only tcp_listen_work. Work items already dispatched onto smc_hs_wq for the CLC handshake continue running unguarded. smc_accept_enqueue() takes a sock_hold() on the child that is never released, so the child smc_sock, its clcsock, and the reference all leak. A remote peer that opens TCP connections while the server calls close() can exhaust kernel memory.

Move lock_sock_nested() to before the sk_state check so that the test and the enqueue are atomic under the listener lock.

AnalysisAI

Kernel memory exhaustion in the Linux net/smc subsystem enables remote denial-of-service against servers using SMC listen sockets. A TOCTOU race between smc_listen_out() and listener socket close allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to enqueue child socket objects onto a dead listener - each leaking a smc_sock, clcsock, and unreleased reference - by flooding TCP connections during the server's close() window. …

Unlock full vulnerability intelligence

  • Risk assessment & exploitation conditions
  • Attack chain visualization
  • Remediation with exact patch versions
  • Threat intelligence from 22 sources
  • Personal watchlist & email alerts

Free forever · No credit card required

Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata

Recon
Identify SMC listen port on target server
Delivery
Flood TCP connections to trigger CLC handshake processing
Exploit
Time connection arrival against server close() call
Install
Race fires: smc_listen_out() enqueues child on dead listener
C2
sock_hold() reference on child never released, leaking smc_sock and clcsock
Execute
Repeat across connection cycles to accumulate leaks
Impact
Kernel slab memory exhausted, causing denial of service

Vulnerability AssessmentAI

Exploitation Exploitation requires three concurrent conditions: (1) the target Linux kernel must have the smc module loaded and the AF_SMC socket family available; (2) a server application must be actively listening on an SMC socket (AF_SMC or transparent SMC mode), as standard TCP-only applications are not affected; and (3) the attacker's TCP connection attempts must arrive during the brief window between the server's sk_state check and its lock_sock_nested() acquisition - a transient race that requires sustained connection flooding to trigger reliably. … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment.
Risk Assessment The NVD CVSS score of 7.5 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H) reflects a network-exploitable unauthenticated availability flaw, but the AC:L designation is generous for a race condition that requires timing remote TCP connections against a server's close() call - an independent assessment of AC:H is more appropriate, reducing the effective score to approximately 5.9. … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in.
Exploit Scenario An attacker on the network sends a sustained flood of TCP connection attempts to a server application using SMC listen sockets, targeting the transient race window that opens when the server application calls close() on its listener. Each successful race iteration enqueues a child smc_sock on the dead listener with a sock_hold() reference that is never released, leaking the child socket and its clcsock; repeating across many connection cycles gradually exhausts kernel slab memory, eventually triggering an out-of-memory condition or kernel instability. …
Remediation Upgrade the Linux kernel to a patched stable release for the deployed series: 5.15.216, 6.1.183, 6.6.152, 6.12.104, 6.18.45, 7.1.9, or 7.2+, with individual fix commits available at https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/53c7938d8bcfde3296ec1a347ba2a9393c1fdcfa and related references. … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report.

Recommended ActionAI

Within 24 hours, identify Linux systems using SMC protocol (inspect running services and kernel configuration for AF_SMC socket usage) and assess deployment scope; disable SMC if not operationally required. …

Sign in for detailed remediation steps and compensating controls.

Threat intelligence, references, and detailed analysis are available after sign-in.

Share

CVE-2026-74692 vulnerability details – vuln.today

This site uses cookies essential for authentication and security. No tracking or analytics cookies are used. Privacy Policy