Kernel crash via traffic-control action race
Published Aug 26, 2026 · Updated Aug 26, 2026
A race in the Linux kernel traffic-control action path allows attackers to crash the kernel through concurrent action replacement. tcf_action_exec() checks a->goto_chain, but tcf_action_goto_chain_exec() reads it again and dereferences chain->filter_chain after a concurrent tcf_action_set_ctrlact() clears the pointer. Triggering requires TC_ACT_GOTO_CHAIN processing to overlap a control-action replacement; the resulting NULL dereference can terminate the system.
Summary
What happened
A race in the Linux kernel traffic-control action path allows attackers to crash the kernel through concurrent action replacement. tcf_action_exec() checks a->goto_chain, but tcf_action_goto_chain_exec() reads it again and dereferences chain->filter_chain after a concurrent tcf_action_set_ctrlact() clears the pointer. Triggering requires TC_ACT_GOTO_CHAIN processing to overlap a control-action replacement; the resulting NULL dereference can terminate the system.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-74740
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 26, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1499
- Attack vector
- Unavailable
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 26, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 26, 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.
- Affected versionversion=5.1
- Affected versionversion=ee3bbfe806cdb46b02cda63626cb50a7a7b19fc5 <1ec48b6715c29b20105e3485206602cff6c51ae5
- Affected versionversion=ee3bbfe806cdb46b02cda63626cb50a7a7b19fc5 <6b70886ebc428eed43a069c8944a931b5fb3f4e4
- Affected versionversion=ee3bbfe806cdb46b02cda63626cb50a7a7b19fc5 <91d55fd1fdb85c8371ca8793c788ea7d5192383a
- Affected versionversion=ee3bbfe806cdb46b02cda63626cb50a7a7b19fc5 <abceabc4408fca6a9dd52611f5d197dec9390d63
- Affected versionversion=ee3bbfe806cdb46b02cda63626cb50a7a7b19fc5 <f60b396ee174206fe08ebf997d16cd3801b77b22
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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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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