CVE-2026-74479

Kernel memory corruption via pktgen proc-entry race

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel pktgen component allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through a concurrent proc-entry race. pktgen_change_name() frees and replaces pkt_dev->entry while pktgen_remove_device() can retain the same stale proc_dir_entry and pass it again to proc_remove(). Reaching the race requires local procfs writes plus concurrent network-interface rename and removal; success can escalate privileges or crash the kernel.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.13%
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 kernel pktgen component allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through a concurrent proc-entry race. pktgen_change_name() frees and replaces pkt_dev->entry while pktgen_remove_device() can retain the same stale proc_dir_entry and pass it again to proc_remove(). Reaching the race requires local procfs writes plus concurrent network-interface rename and removal; success can escalate privileges or crash the kernel.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-74479
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=2.6.22
  2. Affected versionversion=39df232f1a9ba48d41c68ee7d4046756e709cf91 <4ef801b838d85c0ea5852c50667f7344ce3b6cd0
  3. Affected versionversion=39df232f1a9ba48d41c68ee7d4046756e709cf91 <817ff6efdb7f484ea547218e11e17d8e43daa3b4
  4. Affected versionversion=39df232f1a9ba48d41c68ee7d4046756e709cf91 <b006a5404470bd3eb2aa0425fc447183032047ef

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=2.6.22; version=39df232f1a9ba48d41c68ee7d4046756e709cf91 <4ef801b838d85c0ea5852c50667f7344ce3b6cd0; version=39df232f1a9ba48d41c68ee7d4046756e709cf91 <817ff6efdb7f484ea547218e11e17d8e43daa3b4; version=39df232f1a9ba48d41c68ee7d4046756e709cf91 <b006a5404470bd3eb2aa0425fc447183032047ef

Published CVSS scores

4.7Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H
7.8LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/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.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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