Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3 SMB Client free_tgts tgthint use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | $5k-$25k | 0.41+ |
Summary
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3 and classified as very critical. Impacted is the function free_tgts of the component SMB Client. This manipulation of the argument tgthint causes use after free.
The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-89636. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.
The affected component should be upgraded.
Details
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.108/6.18.49/7.2.3 and classified as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function free_tgts of the component SMB Client. The manipulation of the argument tgthint 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: smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts() When free_tgts() frees all structures in ce->tlist, ce->tgthint is left pointing to one of the freed cache_dfs_tgt structures. If ce->tgthint is not reset before it is used later, it results in a use-after-free. Set ce->tgthint to NULL in free_tgts() after the elements are freed to reflect that no elements remain.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-89636 since 09/11/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. 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 09/12/2026).
Upgrading to version 6.12.109, 6.18.50, 7.2.4 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 7507bd1885643d0461a6017767492450af1ce2a3/9ab46a13798a61d9d020b01d4e57efdabe6624fa/5baab40404a9393bcc0b7b8f1950bf2c307e0984/b1b741cf8e7ce1b91d937e23decd3d3358748700 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality 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: 9.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.6
VulDB Base Score: 9.0
VulDB Temp Score: 8.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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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: 🔒
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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: 7507bd1885643d0461a6017767492450af1ce2a3/9ab46a13798a61d9d020b01d4e57efdabe6624fa/5baab40404a9393bcc0b7b8f1950bf2c307e0984/b1b741cf8e7ce1b91d937e23decd3d3358748700
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-2026-89636 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-89636
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-402979
Entry
Created: 09/12/2026 02:22Changes: 09/12/2026 02:22 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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