Linux Kernel up to 6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5 binfmt_misc load_misc_binary interpreter toctou

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.2$0-$5k0.94+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5. This impacts the function load_misc_binary of the component binfmt_misc. Performing a manipulation of the argument interpreter results in toctou. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-74486. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5. It has been classified as problematic. This affects the function load_misc_binary of the component binfmt_misc. The manipulation of the argument interpreter with an unknown input leads to a toctou vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-367. The product checks the state of a resource before using that resource, but the resource's state can change between the check and the use in a way that invalidates the results of the check. This can cause the product to perform invalid actions when the resource is in an unexpected state. This is going to have an impact on integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: binfmt_misc: use exe_file_deny_write_access() for the interpreter clone For MISC_FMT_OPEN_FILE entries load_misc_binary() clones the registered interpreter file and denies write access to the clone via plain deny_write_access(). The clone is installed as bprm->interpreter and later released by the exec machinery through exe_file_allow_write_access() which skips the i_writecount increment for files with FMODE_FSNOTIFY_HSM set. The deny and allow side can therefore come to different conclusions when pre-content watches are in play: if a pre-content watch is added to the interpreter after registration every subsequent exec through that entry takes a write denial on the clone that is never paired with a write allowance, driving the interpreter inode's i_writecount further down with each exec and leaving the interpreter unwritable even after the entry and all its users are gone. Take the write denial via exe_file_deny_write_access() so both sides of the pairing base their decision on the same file mode, and propagate failure instead of silently ignoring it: an interpreter that is concurrently open for writing now fails the exec with ETXTBSY, exactly like an interpreter freshly opened via open_exec() would.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-74486 since 08/15/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. 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 6.18.44, 7.1.8 or 7.2-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 255a758697da87a205e072e0cfc35897b8f743b1/f0edbaf487e4653a680a7abb91c1df94cb7886aa/fa5990ca8fd917003e526036bcc50413edb9722c is able to eliminate this problem.

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

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.2

VulDB Base Score: 5.4
VulDB Temp Score: 5.2
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: Toctou
CWE: CWE-367 / 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 6.18.44/7.1.8/7.2-rc6
Patch: 255a758697da87a205e072e0cfc35897b8f743b1/f0edbaf487e4653a680a7abb91c1df94cb7886aa/fa5990ca8fd917003e526036bcc50413edb9722c

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-2026-74486 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-74486
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390795

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 15:13
Changes: 08/15/2026 15:13 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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