Linux Kernel up to 6.18.49/7.2.3 nxp-pit nxp-pit.c cpuhp_setup_state use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | $5k-$25k | 1.74+ |
Summary
A vulnerability marked as very critical has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.49/7.2.3. Affected by this issue is the function cpuhp_setup_state of the file /drivers/clocksource/nxp-pit.c of the component nxp-pit. The manipulation leads to use after free.
This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-89769. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit.
It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.49/7.2.3. It has been rated as very critical. This issue affects the function cpuhp_setup_state of the file /drivers/clocksource/nxp-pit.c of the component nxp-pit. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: clocksource/drivers/nxp-pit: Fix IRQ leak on cpuhp_setup_state error path When cpuhp_setup_state fails after pit_clockevent_per_cpu_init has successfully called request_irq, the error handling jumps directly to out_pit_clocksource_unregister without freeing the registered IRQ. This leaks the IRQ line and, since kfree(pit) follows, leaves a dangling pointer registered as the interrupt handler's dev_id, potentially leading to a use-after-free if the IRQ fires afterwards. Fix it by calling pit_clockevent_per_cpu_exit to properly release the IRQ before falling through to the existing cleanup chain.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-89769 since 09/11/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/11/2026).
Upgrading to version 6.18.50, 7.2.4 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d53c29a89a15e56a1797f3ef249955e544782e04/cdcd861123248e871c2ec2be968b0a1b2a5a34b0/05520e035f8332c8e33f3011b5ca016fde61793d is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source 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
- 6.18.45
- 6.18.46
- 6.18.47
- 6.18.48
- 6.18.49
- 7.2.0
- 7.2.1
- 7.2.2
- 7.2.3
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
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: Use after freeCWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
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 6.18.50/7.2.4/7.3-rc1
Patch: d53c29a89a15e56a1797f3ef249955e544782e04/cdcd861123248e871c2ec2be968b0a1b2a5a34b0/05520e035f8332c8e33f3011b5ca016fde61793d
Timeline
09/11/2026 Advisory disclosed09/11/2026 CVE reserved
09/11/2026 VulDB entry created
09/11/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-89769 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-89769
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-402623
Entry
Created: 09/11/2026 23:05Changes: 09/11/2026 23:05 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
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