Local kernel compromise via QFQ state desynchronization
Published Feb 4, 2026 · Updated Feb 4, 2026
Use-after-free in the Linux Kernel QFQ scheduler allows local users with CAP_NET_ADMIN to corrupt kernel memory or crash the host. qfq_rm_from_ag treats child qdisc qlen as the class activation state; manipulated queue lengths can skip deactivation, leave the class linked to a freed aggregate, and later dereference freed memory. CAP_NET_ADMIN in a user and network namespace is sufficient; a separate double-deactivation path causes a NULL-pointer kernel panic.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in the Linux Kernel QFQ scheduler allows local users with CAP_NET_ADMIN to corrupt kernel memory or crash the host. qfq_rm_from_ag treats child qdisc qlen as the class activation state; manipulated queue lengths can skip deactivation, leave the class linked to a freed aggregate, and later dereference freed memory. CAP_NET_ADMIN in a user and network namespace is sufficient; a separate double-deactivation path causes a NULL-pointer kernel panic.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-23105
- Published
- Feb 4, 2026
- Updated
- Feb 4, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 4, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 4, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=3.8
- Affected versionversion=462dbc9101acd38e92eda93c0726857517a24bbd <77f1afd0bb4d5da95236f6114e6d0dfcde187ff6
- Affected versionversion=462dbc9101acd38e92eda93c0726857517a24bbd <93b8635974fb050c43d07e35e5edfe6e685ca28a
- Affected versionversion=462dbc9101acd38e92eda93c0726857517a24bbd <abd9fc26ea577561a5ef6241a1b058755ffdad0c
- Affected versionversion=462dbc9101acd38e92eda93c0726857517a24bbd <d837fbee92453fbb829f950c8e7cf76207d73f33
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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