Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.4/7.3-rc1 ftrace ftrace_regex_open trace_array/ftrace_ops use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k0.43-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as very critical has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.4/7.3-rc1. The affected element is the function ftrace_regex_open of the component ftrace. This manipulation of the argument trace_array/ftrace_ops causes use after free. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-90002. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.4/7.3-rc1. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ftrace_regex_open of the component ftrace. The manipulation of the argument trace_array/ftrace_ops 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: ftrace: Take trace_array reference before accessing its ftrace_ops The trace instance files set_ftrace_filter and set_ftrace_notrace was updated to work with specific trace instances (trace_arrays). The issue is that when these files are opened, there is a small race window where it will use the ftrace_ops from the inode->private pointer to get a reference to the trace_array and then take its reference. The problem is that the ftrace_ops itself could be freed. If the rmdir on the instance happens at the same time the set_ftrace_filter file is opened, the rmdir could have also freed the ftrace_ops and referencing it will cause a use-after-free bug and crash the kernel. Instead, pass in the trace_array as the file private data (NULL for the top level instance), and then pass both the trace_array and the ftrace_ops to the ftrace_regex_open() function. If the trace_array is NULL, then it just uses the ftrace_ops without the need to take its reference (like normal). If the ftrace_ops is NULL, that is only the case for the top level instance and the global_ops can be used. This allows the trace_array to have its reference incremented before touching the ftrace_ops that could also be freed when the instance is.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-90002 since 09/11/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/16/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.18.52, 7.2.5 or 7.3-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 83fd7eca5ab0d3ac3f23bff889175d847e21af06/cee8f286794df916553d8d445eac5c323ec5b0f8/9100191e5acb2e5ea2313f436667bb5fce129f47 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

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Website

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 6.18.52/7.2.5/7.3-rc2
Patch: 83fd7eca5ab0d3ac3f23bff889175d847e21af06/cee8f286794df916553d8d445eac5c323ec5b0f8/9100191e5acb2e5ea2313f436667bb5fce129f47

Timelineinfo

09/11/2026 CVE reserved
09/16/2026 +5 days Advisory disclosed
09/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/16/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-90002 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-90002
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-405829

Entryinfo

Created: 09/16/2026 15:13
Changes: 09/16/2026 15:13 (60)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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