Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3 NFSv3 ACL Decoder nfsd3_proc_setacl mask/acl_access/acl_default null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$0-$5k0.00+

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 issue affects the function nfsd3_proc_setacl of the component NFSv3 ACL Decoder. This manipulation of the argument mask/acl_access/acl_default causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-89671. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3. Affected by this vulnerability is the function nfsd3_proc_setacl of the component NFSv3 ACL Decoder. The manipulation of the argument mask/acl_access/acl_default with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. 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: nfsd: gate nfs3 setacl by argp->mask nfsd3_proc_setacl() calls set_posix_acl() unconditionally for both ACL_TYPE_ACCESS and ACL_TYPE_DEFAULT, passing argp->acl_access and argp->acl_default verbatim. The NFSv3 ACL decoder only populates those pointers when the corresponding mask bit is set: nfs3svc_decode_setaclargs() if (args->mask & NFS_ACL) decode into acl_access if (args->mask & NFS_DFACL) decode into acl_default /* otherwise the pointer stays NULL (pc_argzero) */ nfsd3_proc_setacl() set_posix_acl(.., ACL_TYPE_ACCESS, argp->acl_access) set_posix_acl(.., ACL_TYPE_DEFAULT, argp->acl_default) set_posix_acl(idmap, dentry, type, NULL) is the VFS "remove this ACL type" operation. A NULL pointer that means "the client did not send this arm" is therefore indistinguishable from "the client asked to remove this ACL". A SETACL with mask=NFS_ACL silently drops the directory's default ACL; mask=0 drops both. The sibling nfsd3_proc_getacl() already consults argp->mask before touching each arm; mirror that in setacl. Fix by wrapping each set_posix_acl() call in the matching mask bit check and initializing error to 0 before inode_lock so that a request with neither bit set leaves the on-disk ACLs untouched and returns nfs_ok. The out_drop_lock path and the unconditional posix_acl_release() at out: are preserved; both NULL-tolerate the skipped arms.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-89671 since 09/11/2026. 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 $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/12/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.109, 6.18.50, 7.2.4 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 68a80b26efdff1d09f8ae1773c6a915abb9e191d/b3bff820d068ea59767d4e91a3258231a879da5f/ff99ed007f065198fd723152405c22aa558f700b/453d7198a0ab07a12d46e0575861ac7b932da17e 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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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: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / 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 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: 68a80b26efdff1d09f8ae1773c6a915abb9e191d/b3bff820d068ea59767d4e91a3258231a879da5f/ff99ed007f065198fd723152405c22aa558f700b/453d7198a0ab07a12d46e0575861ac7b932da17e

Timelineinfo

09/11/2026 CVE reserved
09/12/2026 +1 days Advisory disclosed
09/12/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/12/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-89671 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-89671
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-402967

Entryinfo

Created: 09/12/2026 02:16
Changes: 09/12/2026 02:16 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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