CVE-2026-74255Network attack vector

Kernel crash via TIPC media-pointer race

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Use-after-free in the Linux TIPC subsystem allows remote attackers to crash the kernel through a media-pointer race. The tipc_disable_l2_media() path leaves b->media_ptr valid while synchronize_net() waits, so a concurrent RCU reader can retain the device before bearer_disable() clears it and the device is freed. Reachability requires an enabled TIPC Layer 2 bearer and a race between bearer shutdown and message transmission; the bounded consequence is a kernel crash.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.51%
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 the Linux TIPC subsystem allows remote attackers to crash the kernel through a media-pointer race. The tipc_disable_l2_media() path leaves b->media_ptr valid while synchronize_net() waits, so a concurrent RCU reader can retain the device before bearer_disable() clears it and the device is freed. Reachability requires an enabled TIPC Layer 2 bearer and a race between bearer shutdown and message transmission; the bounded consequence is a kernel crash.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-74255
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416, CWE-788, CWE-825
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 15, 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=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <0d8a12d7143126afdf9fbe2e3d438650dd6603ed
  2. Affected versionversion=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <35e0297a93c3c34a3924eeef816c03504e3ab5c5
  3. Affected versionversion=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <50ff092633b06382e5091dd5b093ce943d4ac2f9
  4. Affected versionversion=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <609ced2301be1df7e7ed2ef47d1d916674e6ba3b
  5. Affected versionversion=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <71aafa16d79b107b33837f60b6cbc7d0cb8c5708
  6. Affected versionversion=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <aef12b5ce793dea6b3a97a58fd0f946000ae8945
  7. Affected versionversion=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <f4002f1c669cc02e3763f479fc25ff1dfa9e2420
  8. Affected versionversion=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <f4c3d89fc986b0da196ddfc6cfe0ea5d5d08bec6
  9. Affected versionversion=4.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <0d8a12d7143126afdf9fbe2e3d438650dd6603ed; version=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <35e0297a93c3c34a3924eeef816c03504e3ab5c5; version=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <50ff092633b06382e5091dd5b093ce943d4ac2f9; version=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <609ced2301be1df7e7ed2ef47d1d916674e6ba3b; version=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <71aafa16d79b107b33837f60b6cbc7d0cb8c5708; version=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <aef12b5ce793dea6b3a97a58fd0f946000ae8945; version=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <f4002f1c669cc02e3763f479fc25ff1dfa9e2420; version=282b3a056225b35024246f63feb91d769d714dad <f4c3d89fc986b0da196ddfc6cfe0ea5d5d08bec6; version=4.4

Published CVSS scores

5.5Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
9.8Linux kernel CNACVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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.

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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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
CWE-788Access of Memory Location After End of Buffer
CWE-825Expired Pointer Dereference

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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