Linux Kernel up to 6.18.49/7.2.3 cifs cifs_file_set_size use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | $5k-$25k | 0.42+ |
Summary
A vulnerability categorized as very critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.49/7.2.3. This issue affects the function cifs_file_set_size of the component cifs. Such manipulation leads to use after free.
This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-89641. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available.
It is advisable 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. Affected by this issue is the function cifs_file_set_size of the component cifs. 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. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cifs: clear tcon after cifsFileInfo_put() in cifs_file_set_size() When the else branch of cifs_file_set_size() finds a writable file handle via find_writable_file(), it borrows tcon and server from the handle's tlink, attempts the handle-based set_file_size() RPC, and then releases the handle with cifsFileInfo_put(). If set_file_size() fails, execution falls through to the path-based fallback, which reuses the borrowed tcon and server under the "if (tcon == NULL)" guard. Since tcon is not NULL at that point, the guard is skipped. If cifsFileInfo_put() dropped the last reference on a tlink that was already removed from the tlink tree (TCON_LINK_IN_TREE cleared, as happens during reconnection or session teardown), cifs_put_tlink() will have freed tcon; the subsequent set_path_size() call is then a use-after-free. Setting tcon = NULL after cifsFileInfo_put() causes the existing guard to take the cifs_sb_tlink() path, which acquires a fresh reference for the path-based operation or fails cleanly if the session is gone.
The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-89641 since 09/11/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 09/12/2026).
Upgrading to version 6.18.50, 7.2.4 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 4f18c9e7ee464aaae5cd9fccdb943b3fcb4655d4/4bea15d9c7683218f57b8c1f5f0aa75cab76af8d/b96db32fed8dfb2478d7c208f89bf383beed1535 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.
Once again VulDB remains the best 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 |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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: 4f18c9e7ee464aaae5cd9fccdb943b3fcb4655d4/4bea15d9c7683218f57b8c1f5f0aa75cab76af8d/b96db32fed8dfb2478d7c208f89bf383beed1535
Timeline
09/11/2026 CVE reserved09/12/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/12/2026 VulDB entry created
09/12/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-89641 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-89641
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-402956
Entry
Created: 09/12/2026 02:09Changes: 09/12/2026 02:09 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
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