Linux Kernel up to 6.18.44/7.1.8 xsk xsk_tx_metadata_request information disclosure

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | $0-$5k | 1.31 |
Summary
A vulnerability marked as problematic has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.44/7.1.8. This issue affects the function xsk_tx_metadata_request of the component xsk. The manipulation leads to information disclosure.
This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2026-74709. The attack can only be performed from a local environment. No exploit is available.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.44/7.1.8 and classified as problematic. This issue affects the function xsk_tx_metadata_request of the component xsk. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a information disclosure vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-200. The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. Impacted is confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xsk: clear metadata pointer when no timestamp is requested User space can change metadata flags after request processing. Rereading them during completion can therefore make the kernel write a timestamp that was not requested when the packet was submitted. Clear the metadata pointer during request processing unless timestamp completion is requested. Completion handling can then use the pointer itself instead of rereading the flags. On the mlx5 multi-packet WQE path metadata is evaluated per batch: xsk_tx_metadata_request() runs only for the descriptor that starts a session, just like the checksum offload that is applied once through the shared WQE. Only that descriptor's pointer is reset, so completion handling can record a timestamp for the other descriptors of the session regardless of their own XDP_TXMD_FLAGS_TIMESTAMP bit. The write stays inside the metadata area; the single-WQE, other zero-copy, and generic paths reset the pointer per descriptor and are unaffected.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-74709 since 08/15/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploitation requires an enhanced level of successful authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1592 according to MITRE ATT&CK.
Upgrading to version 6.18.45 or 7.1.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 0ba2e1eb07a826d021344e2f146b6716c58139eb/eb4c613d4ebc3f664e70d572b8867ba114a8754e/9f60a67df8d3c862503bee62bada8e7089cba438 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
- 6.18.40
- 6.18.41
- 6.18.42
- 6.18.43
- 6.18.44
- 7.1.0
- 7.1.1
- 7.1.2
- 7.1.3
- 7.1.4
- 7.1.5
- 7.1.6
- 7.1.7
- 7.1.8
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 2.3VulDB Meta Temp Score: 2.2
VulDB Base Score: 2.3
VulDB Temp Score: 2.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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: Information disclosureCWE: CWE-200 / CWE-284 / CWE-266
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 6.18.45/7.1.9
Patch: 0ba2e1eb07a826d021344e2f146b6716c58139eb/eb4c613d4ebc3f664e70d572b8867ba114a8754e/9f60a67df8d3c862503bee62bada8e7089cba438
Timeline
08/15/2026 CVE reserved08/22/2026 Advisory disclosed
08/22/2026 VulDB entry created
08/22/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-74709 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-74709
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-394475
Entry
Created: 08/22/2026 18:57Changes: 08/22/2026 18:57 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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