CVE-2026-68096Public exploit

System hang via recursive audit directory locking

Published Aug 10, 2026 · Updated Aug 10, 2026

Deadlock in the Linux kernel audit subsystem allows local users to hang the system by moving a file covered by an executable audit rule. audit_alloc_mark() calls kern_path_parent() while the VFS rename path already holds I_MUTEX_PARENT, recursively acquiring the same directory lock instead of reusing the resolved inode. The trigger requires an existing executable audit rule matching the moved file; successful exploitation leaves tasks unable to complete and can deadlock the entire system.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.54%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Deadlock in the Linux kernel audit subsystem allows local users to hang the system by moving a file covered by an executable audit rule. audit_alloc_mark() calls kern_path_parent() while the VFS rename path already holds I_MUTEX_PARENT, recursively acquiring the same directory lock instead of reusing the resolved inode. The trigger requires an existing executable audit rule matching the moved file; successful exploitation leaves tasks unable to complete and can deadlock the entire system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-68096
Published
Aug 10, 2026
Updated
Aug 10, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-833, CAPEC-25, T1499.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 10, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 10, 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=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <36eb77f14b4e6f2dc1008c1fabe31236397be27a
  2. Affected versionversion=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <3b601938314c24fcd1afb6659cad92fe96c9c2f8
  3. Affected versionversion=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <40879c39d6740f3dddfb52b5d6ba7fb8cceb84d8
  4. Affected versionversion=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <7d1f66c69898ffb1a718926c32a777ecc471caca
  5. Affected versionversion=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <81905b5acbe77284734438df3fbec1158e6429a3
  6. Affected versionversion=4.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <36eb77f14b4e6f2dc1008c1fabe31236397be27a; version=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <3b601938314c24fcd1afb6659cad92fe96c9c2f8; version=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <40879c39d6740f3dddfb52b5d6ba7fb8cceb84d8; version=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <7d1f66c69898ffb1a718926c32a777ecc471caca; version=34d99af52ad40bd498ba66970579a5bc1fb1a3bc <81905b5acbe77284734438df3fbec1158e6429a3; version=4.3

Published CVSS scores

7.5CVE.orgCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
5.5Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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.

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-833Deadlock
CAPEC-25Forced Deadlock
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

Public exploit references

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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