Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4 TCP Socket Operations include/net/sock.h tcp_set_state race condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k0.94+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function tcp_set_state of the file include/net/sock.h of the component TCP Socket Operations. The manipulation leads to race condition. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-74268. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function tcp_set_state of the file include/net/sock.h of the component TCP Socket Operations. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a race condition vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-362. The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, and the code sequence requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence that is operating concurrently. Impacted is integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tcp: clear sock_ops cb flags before force-closing a child socket A child socket inherits the listener's bpf_sock_ops_cb_flags via sk_clone_lock(). If its setup fails in tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock() / tcp_v6_syn_recv_sock(), the child is freed through put_and_exit, where inet_csk_prepare_forced_close() drops the socket lock and tcp_done() runs without it. If BPF_SOCK_OPS_STATE_CB_FLAG was inherited, tcp_done() -> tcp_set_state() calls tcp_call_bpf(), which expects the lock and trips sock_owned_by_me(): WARNING: include/net/sock.h:1799 at tcp_set_state+0x433/0x550 RIP: 0010:tcp_set_state+0x433/0x550 include/net/sock.h:1799 Call Trace: <IRQ> tcp_done+0xba/0x250 net/ipv4/tcp.c:5095 tcp_v4_syn_recv_sock+0x850/0xa50 net/ipv4/tcp_ipv4.c:1787 tcp_check_req+0xf30/0x1360 net/ipv4/tcp_minisocks.c:926 tcp_v4_rcv+0x1047/0x1b50 net/ipv4/tcp_ipv4.c:2164 </IRQ> The child is freed before it is ever established, so it should run no sock_ops callback. Clear its cb flags in inet_csk_prepare_for_destroy_sock(), the common point for the IPv4, IPv6 and chtls forced-close paths and for the MPTCP ->syn_recv_sock() failure path (dispose_child), which reaches tcp_done() on a child that was never established too.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-74268 since 08/15/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.18.40, 7.1.5 or 7.2-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ce311bd2e36596f0aa2c92ca86fb3e019ac57eae/8874dafc9099bc49c2e5ebba030f85d276421f92/990348e5bb457697c2f1f7f7b65154a3334d9d2b is able to eliminate this problem.

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Temp Score: 6.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Race condition
CWE: CWE-362
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc1
Patch: ce311bd2e36596f0aa2c92ca86fb3e019ac57eae/8874dafc9099bc49c2e5ebba030f85d276421f92/990348e5bb457697c2f1f7f7b65154a3334d9d2b

Timelineinfo

08/15/2026 Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-74268 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-74268
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390227

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 08:41
Changes: 08/15/2026 08:41 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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