Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3 net/smc net/smc/af_smc.c smc_switch_conns allocation of resources

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.2 | $0-$5k | 0.00+ |
Summary
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3. This affects the function smc_switch_conns of the file net/smc/af_smc.c of the component net/smc. The manipulation leads to allocation of resources.
This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-80983. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.
It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function smc_switch_conns of the file net/smc/af_smc.c of the component net/smc. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a allocation of resources vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-770. The product allocates a reusable resource or group of resources on behalf of an actor without imposing any restrictions on the size or number of resources that can be allocated, in violation of the intended security policy for that actor. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/smc: fix socket refcount leak in smc_switch_conns() smc_switch_conns() takes a reference on the SMC socket before dropping lgr->conns_lock, so the connection stays alive while the CDC slot is fetched: sock_hold(&smc->sk); read_unlock_bh(&lgr->conns_lock); /* pre-fetch buffer outside of send_lock, might sleep */ rc = smc_cdc_get_free_slot(conn, to_lnk, &wr_buf, NULL, &pend); if (rc) goto err_out; The err_out label only drops the wr_tx link reference, so this early exit returns without the matching sock_put(). The second error exit is not affected, because sock_put() has already run by then. A leaked sk_refcnt means the smc_sock is never destroyed. Its send and receive buffers stay allocated, and for a user socket the reference held on the network namespace is never released, so the netns can no longer be torn down. smc_cdc_get_free_slot() fails when the target link goes down or when the connection has been killed while the switch is in progress. Both are reachable during the link failover this function implements, so the leak is triggered by the same hardware events that make smc_switch_conns() run in the first place. Restructure so there is a single sock_put() covering both outcomes, instead of adding a second one to the error path.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-80983 since 08/26/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. 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 09/12/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1499 according to MITRE ATT&CK.
Upgrading to version 6.12.109, 6.18.50, 7.2.4 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 84dea0585f6b538ae895a8b1d025f4897737f3b1/d89dc1bd8845c669a700eee58c64ebd3cc1b6d2d/d9a879ac25958bdaecb669ce70e58f8e2ff170de/719296c4aa8213d4ac8002e77d5956d436bc98d0 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
- 6.12.108
- 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: 7.5VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Allocation of resourcesCWE: CWE-770 / CWE-400 / 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 Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.109/6.18.50/7.2.4/7.3-rc1
Patch: 84dea0585f6b538ae895a8b1d025f4897737f3b1/d89dc1bd8845c669a700eee58c64ebd3cc1b6d2d/d9a879ac25958bdaecb669ce70e58f8e2ff170de/719296c4aa8213d4ac8002e77d5956d436bc98d0
Timeline
08/26/2026 CVE reserved09/11/2026 VulDB entry created
09/12/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/12/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-80983 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-80983
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-402767
Entry
Created: 09/12/2026 00:25Changes: 09/12/2026 00:25 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
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