Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3 smack smack_file_send_sigiotask use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3. It has been classified as very critical. This impacts the function smack_file_send_sigiotask of the component smack. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-80928. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3. It has been declared as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function smack_file_send_sigiotask of the component smack. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smack: fix cred UAF in smack_file_send_sigiotask() When inspecting the credentials of another task, objective credentials (->real_cred, accessed with __task_cred()) must always be used. Accessing ->cred on a non-current task is forbidden unless that task is being created or destroyed; a task is allowed to change its own ->cred pointer with no synchronization, and changing ->cred should only affect the current syscall. smack_file_send_sigiotask() was accessing both sets of credentials: First tsk->cred, then __task_cred(tsk). Fix it, always access the objective credentials here. I have tested that this bug can lead to a KASAN-reported UAF of struct cred in smack_file_send_sigiotask(), and that this fix prevents the race.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-80928 since 08/26/2026. 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 at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/11/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.109, 6.18.50, 7.2.4 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch b5bcf3adfa27279da4401ab8f1e1a706601a92be/ed64aa505875a3b4defd504ee8e59e1949246a62/b791401bf389a1546a830d2b381ca60fe94c7870/fedc88e38ce979a720cd2de042578cb5df3dc8de is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
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: 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 6.12.109/6.18.50/7.2.4/7.3-rc1
Patch: b5bcf3adfa27279da4401ab8f1e1a706601a92be/ed64aa505875a3b4defd504ee8e59e1949246a62/b791401bf389a1546a830d2b381ca60fe94c7870/fedc88e38ce979a720cd2de042578cb5df3dc8de

Timelineinfo

08/26/2026 CVE reserved
09/11/2026 +16 days Advisory disclosed
09/11/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/11/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-80928 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-80928
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-402631

Entryinfo

Created: 09/11/2026 23:09
Changes: 09/11/2026 23:09 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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