Linux Kernel up to 6.12.102/6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5 vmwgfx VKMS drm/vmwgfx vmw_vkms_init crc_workq null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.102/6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5. This vulnerability affects the function vmw_vkms_init of the file drm/vmwgfx of the component vmwgfx VKMS. This manipulation of the argument crc_workq causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-74442. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.102/6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function vmw_vkms_init of the file drm/vmwgfx of the component vmwgfx VKMS. The manipulation of the argument crc_workq 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. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/vmwgfx: avoid destroy_workqueue(NULL) on vkms init failure Two paths through vmw_vkms_init() can leave vmw->crc_workq NULL while still leaving the rest of the driver in a state that calls vmw_vkms_cleanup() at module unload: 1. vmw_host_get_guestinfo(GUESTINFO_VBLANK, ...) failing or returning an oversized buffer -- the common case on hosts without a VBLANK guestinfo entry -- early-returned before the workqueue allocation. 2. alloc_ordered_workqueue() returning NULL on memory pressure. vmw_vkms_cleanup() then calls destroy_workqueue(NULL), which dereferences wq->name and panics. Fix the first case by removing the early return: vmw->vkms_enabled is already false on the rpci-failure path so no work will ever be queued, and allocating the workqueue unconditionally keeps the control flow simple. Fix the second case by guarding the cleanup with a NULL check, since alloc_ordered_workqueue() can still fail under low memory.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-74442 since 08/15/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched 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 6.12.103, 6.18.44, 7.1.8 or 7.2-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 7c701778c6a369769992614dac8dc00c8ac72afc/96efee36453b697ccbaf75091b7a1807c11809dd/0ee0532f1d405d37f38c44cbba87342e63d3bbd4/05eaa887e7b4f40fba425f8a1d7a5a8a043092a6 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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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: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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 6.12.103/6.18.44/7.1.8/7.2-rc6
Patch: 7c701778c6a369769992614dac8dc00c8ac72afc/96efee36453b697ccbaf75091b7a1807c11809dd/0ee0532f1d405d37f38c44cbba87342e63d3bbd4/05eaa887e7b4f40fba425f8a1d7a5a8a043092a6

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-2026-74442 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-74442
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390811

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 15:21
Changes: 08/15/2026 15:21 (61)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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