Kernel memory corruption via unlocked TIPC link pointer
Published Aug 22, 2026 · Updated Aug 25, 2026
Use-after-free in Linux kernel TIPC allows local users with CAP_NET_ADMIN to corrupt kernel memory during concurrent bearer teardown. tipc_node_link_down() reads le->link before taking the node lock, allowing a concurrent delete path to free the object before tipc_link_is_establishing() reads it or tipc_link_reset() writes through it. Triggering the race requires local CAP_NET_ADMIN access to disable a TIPC bearer or tear down a network namespace; successful exploitation can disclose kernel memory, corrupt the kernel heap, or panic the system.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Linux kernel TIPC allows local users with CAP_NET_ADMIN to corrupt kernel memory during concurrent bearer teardown. tipc_node_link_down() reads le->link before taking the node lock, allowing a concurrent delete path to free the object before tipc_link_is_establishing() reads it or tipc_link_reset() writes through it. Triggering the race requires local CAP_NET_ADMIN access to disable a TIPC bearer or tear down a network namespace; successful exploitation can disclose kernel memory, corrupt the kernel heap, or panic the system.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-74609
- Published
- Aug 22, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 25, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- CWE-825, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 22, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 25, 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=4.4
- Affected versionversion=73f646cec35477b5099d7e952297cb9e1855be45 <2be741ad565c610871a6a95062c12c39da7168fd
- Affected versionversion=73f646cec35477b5099d7e952297cb9e1855be45 <47ba70891b10b2feb52462086b7fcd2ad75d3ce3
- Affected versionversion=73f646cec35477b5099d7e952297cb9e1855be45 <5558a8312452ddb21eff22b1cbd84302ad951944
- Affected versionversion=73f646cec35477b5099d7e952297cb9e1855be45 <69d209461c110388710e483a130caf051e4fd09a
- Affected versionversion=73f646cec35477b5099d7e952297cb9e1855be45 <a714d62513befef37f71f4ae89bb1fe173b65f2e
- Affected versionversion=73f646cec35477b5099d7e952297cb9e1855be45 <c3f2347a47754eac690967cfd82cb6d559817b07
- Affected versionversion=73f646cec35477b5099d7e952297cb9e1855be45 <cba9ccb47e9fa4cc77692fb896cc5ab57a667882
- Affected versionversion=73f646cec35477b5099d7e952297cb9e1855be45 <de017c22135f545ca4e65d1eada22887b64958eb
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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