Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4 bpf bpf_rb_root_free use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.8 | $0-$5k | 0.00+ |
Summary
A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4. Impacted is the function bpf_rb_root_free of the component bpf. This manipulation causes use after free.
This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-74344. The attack is restricted to local execution. No exploit exists.
Details
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.39/7.1.4 and classified as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function bpf_rb_root_free of the component bpf. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Clear rb node linkage when freeing bpf_rb_root bpf_rb_root_free() detaches the root by copying the current rb_root_cached and then replacing the live root with RB_ROOT_CACHED. It then walks the copied root and drops each object contained in the tree. This leaves the rb node state intact while dropping the object. If the object is refcounted and survives the drop, its bpf_rb_node_kern still contains an owner pointer to the freed root and stale rb tree linkage. If a later bpf_rb_root allocation reuses the same address, bpf_rbtree_remove() can incorrectly pass the owner check and call rb_erase_cached() on a node whose rb pointers belong to the old tree. Mirror the list draining behavior by marking nodes as busy while the root is being detached, then clear the rb node and release the owner before dropping the containing object. This makes surviving nodes unowned and safe to reject from remove or accept for a later add.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-74344 since 08/15/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. Additional levels of successful authentication are required for 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 2eb39de4962f842d653e96818ae372665cd481fd/574612793bed416f6c05fe7c9b50e9eb0441997e/4a7910ee060d8ce55612f5b3cc267f3a265a3cec is able to eliminate this problem.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 6.18.0
- 6.18.1
- 6.18.2
- 6.18.3
- 6.18.4
- 6.18.5
- 6.18.6
- 6.18.7
- 6.18.8
- 6.18.9
- 6.18.10
- 6.18.11
- 6.18.12
- 6.18.13
- 6.18.14
- 6.18.15
- 6.18.16
- 6.18.17
- 6.18.18
- 6.18.19
- 6.18.20
- 6.18.21
- 6.18.22
- 6.18.23
- 6.18.24
- 6.18.25
- 6.18.26
- 6.18.27
- 6.18.28
- 6.18.29
- 6.18.30
- 6.18.31
- 6.18.32
- 6.18.33
- 6.18.34
- 6.18.35
- 6.18.36
- 6.18.37
- 6.18.38
- 6.18.39
- 7.1.0
- 7.1.1
- 7.1.2
- 7.1.3
- 7.1.4
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.2VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.8
VulDB Base Score: 8.2
VulDB Temp Score: 7.8
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Use after freeCWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.18.40/7.1.5/7.2-rc1
Patch: 2eb39de4962f842d653e96818ae372665cd481fd/574612793bed416f6c05fe7c9b50e9eb0441997e/4a7910ee060d8ce55612f5b3cc267f3a265a3cec
Timeline
08/15/2026 Advisory disclosed08/15/2026 CVE reserved
08/15/2026 VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-74344 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-74344
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390307
Entry
Created: 08/15/2026 09:44Changes: 08/15/2026 09:44 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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