Linux Kernel up to 6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5 pktgen net/core/pktgen.c pktgen_remove_device use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.8$0-$5k0.48

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5 and classified as very critical. This impacts the function pktgen_remove_device of the file net/core/pktgen.c of the component pktgen. The manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-74479. The attack needs to be approached locally. There is no available exploit.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.43/7.1.7/7.2-rc5. Affected is the function pktgen_remove_device of the file net/core/pktgen.c of the component pktgen. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: pktgen: fix proc entry use-after-free pktgen_change_name() replaces pkt_dev->entry while holding t->if_lock. pktgen_remove_device() removes the same entry before _rem_dev_from_if_list() takes that lock. This allows the following interleaving: CPU 0 (NETDEV_CHANGENAME) CPU 1 (kpktgend) if_lock(t) proc_remove(pkt_dev->entry) proc_remove(pkt_dev->entry) pkt_dev->entry = proc_create_data(...) if_unlock(t) The kthread can pass the stale proc_dir_entry to proc_remove() after the rename path has freed it. A reproducer with a widened race window reports: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in proc_remove+0x78/0x80 Read of size 8 at addr ffff8881478fea70 by task kpktgend_0/67 Call Trace: proc_remove+0x78/0x80 pktgen_remove_device.isra.0+0x11c/0x4c0 pktgen_thread_worker+0x1214/0x6bc0 kthread+0x2c6/0x3b0 Allocated by task 95: __proc_create+0x204/0x790 proc_create_data+0x72/0xe0 pktgen_thread_write+0xd61/0x1510 Freed by task 28: kmem_cache_free+0xcb/0x3d0 proc_free_inode+0x5b/0x80 rcu_core+0x50a/0x1850 The buggy address belongs to the object at ffff8881478fea00 which belongs to the cache proc_dir_entry of size 192 Move proc_remove() into the if_lock-protected list removal helper. Keep it before list_del_rcu() to preserve the ordering required by add_device(). The rename path must then finish replacing the entry before removal, or it observes that the device is no longer on the list.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-74479 since 08/15/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. Additional levels of successful authentication are necessary for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (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 4ef801b838d85c0ea5852c50667f7344ce3b6cd0/b006a5404470bd3eb2aa0425fc447183032047ef/817ff6efdb7f484ea547218e11e17d8e43daa3b4 is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.8

VulDB Base Score: 8.2
VulDB Temp Score: 7.8
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: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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: 4ef801b838d85c0ea5852c50667f7344ce3b6cd0/b006a5404470bd3eb2aa0425fc447183032047ef/817ff6efdb7f484ea547218e11e17d8e43daa3b4

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-2026-74479 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-74479
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390828

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 15:29
Changes: 08/15/2026 15:29 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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