Local code execution via shadow-stack page injection
Published Aug 10, 2026 · Updated Aug 10, 2026
Code injection in Linux allows local users with userfaultfd access to execute arbitrary code via shadow-stack page replacement. vma_can_userfault() accepts a VM_SHADOW_STACK VMA, letting UFFDIO_COPY replace a discarded shadow-stack page with attacker-chosen return addresses. The path requires local userfaultfd access; successful replacement defeats return-address protection and redirects control flow in the affected process.
Summary
What happened
Code injection in Linux allows local users with userfaultfd access to execute arbitrary code via shadow-stack page replacement. vma_can_userfault() accepts a VM_SHADOW_STACK VMA, letting UFFDIO_COPY replace a discarded shadow-stack page with attacker-chosen return addresses. The path requires local userfaultfd access; successful replacement defeats return-address protection and redirects control flow in the affected process.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-68166
- Published
- Aug 10, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 10, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- CWE-94
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 10, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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?
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- Affected versionversion=54007f818206dc27309ca423df4c87dd160a7208 <0c26202b157f1efc3cd2f26f5c30f59b508a6a5d
- Affected versionversion=54007f818206dc27309ca423df4c87dd160a7208 <165613191ad9d034bf17c00e3a142f9561597ec5
- Affected versionversion=54007f818206dc27309ca423df4c87dd160a7208 <3c58f641e813c3c71039f8fd4d4e2a3aab713288
- Affected versionversion=6.6
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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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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