CVE-2026-23226Network attack vector

Authenticated kernel memory access via channel-list race

Published Feb 18, 2026 · Updated Feb 18, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel ksmbd allows remote authenticated users to access freed kernel memory through SMB multi-channel sessions. lookup_chann_list() can load an entry from the unsynchronized ksmbd_chann_list xarray while ksmbd_chann_del() erases and frees it. Reachability requires an authenticated SMB multi-channel session; the published record does not identify a demonstrated crash or code-execution outcome.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.42%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel ksmbd allows remote authenticated users to access freed kernel memory through SMB multi-channel sessions. lookup_chann_list() can load an entry from the unsynchronized ksmbd_chann_list xarray while ksmbd_chann_del() erases and frees it. Reachability requires an authenticated SMB multi-channel session; the published record does not identify a demonstrated crash or code-execution outcome.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-23226
Published
Feb 18, 2026
Updated
Feb 18, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-416, T1210
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 18, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <36ef605c0395b94b826a8c8d6f2697071173de6e
  2. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <e4a8a96a93d08570e0405cfd989a8a07e5b6ff33

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <36ef605c0395b94b826a8c8d6f2697071173de6e; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <e4a8a96a93d08570e0405cfd989a8a07e5b6ff33

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8kernel.orgCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1210Exploitation of Remote Services

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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