Linux Kernel up to 7.0-rc2 tracing trigger_data_free null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.16

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 7.0-rc2. The impacted element is the function trigger_data_free of the component tracing. Executing a manipulation can lead to null pointer dereference. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-23309. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.0-rc2 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function trigger_data_free of the component tracing. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: Add NULL pointer check to trigger_data_free() If trigger_data_alloc() fails and returns NULL, event_hist_trigger_parse() jumps to the out_free error path. While kfree() safely handles a NULL pointer, trigger_data_free() does not. This causes a NULL pointer dereference in trigger_data_free() when evaluating data->cmd_ops->set_filter. Fix the problem by adding a NULL pointer check to trigger_data_free(). The problem was found by an experimental code review agent based on gemini-3.1-pro while reviewing backports into v6.18.y.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-23309 since 01/13/2026. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 304113 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23309), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.167, 6.6.130, 6.12.77, 6.18.17, 6.19.7, 7.0-rc1 or 7.0-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 13dcd9269e225e4c4ceabdaeebe2ce4661b54c6e/59c15b9cc453b74beb9f04c6c398717e73612dc3/42b380f97d65e76e7b310facd525f730272daf57/2ce8ece5a78da67834db7728edc801889a64f643/477469223b2b840f436ce204333de87cb17e5d93/457965c13f0837a289c9164b842d0860133f6274 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (304113) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0861). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 304113
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-23309

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.167/6.6.130/6.12.77/6.18.17/6.19.7/7.0-rc1/7.0-rc3
Patch: 13dcd9269e225e4c4ceabdaeebe2ce4661b54c6e/59c15b9cc453b74beb9f04c6c398717e73612dc3/42b380f97d65e76e7b310facd525f730272daf57/2ce8ece5a78da67834db7728edc801889a64f643/477469223b2b840f436ce204333de87cb17e5d93/457965c13f0837a289c9164b842d0860133f6274

Timelineinfo

01/13/2026 CVE reserved
03/25/2026 +71 days Advisory disclosed
03/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/28/2026 +3 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-23309 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-23309
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-353074
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0861 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 03/25/2026 13:22
Updated: 03/28/2026 10:23
Changes: 03/25/2026 13:22 (59), 03/26/2026 05:24 (7), 03/28/2026 10:23 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:1DB:103

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