Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.4/7.3-rc1 tracing trace_array_options_get use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.5$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.4/7.3-rc1 and classified as very critical. The impacted element is the function trace_array_options_get of the component tracing. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-90013. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.18.51/7.2.4/7.3-rc1. It has been rated as very critical. This issue affects the function trace_array_options_get of the component tracing. 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. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: Take trace_array reference when opening options file The options files do not take the trace_array reference for the options they represent. This could cause a use-after-free kernel crash if one of these files is opened by one task and another task removes the instance that the option is for. Because it doesn't take a reference upon opening, it will not stop the removal which will free the options descriptor that is being used. As the options are somewhat dynamic in their creation at boot up, each file represents a flag in the trace_array. The trace_array has an array of indexes to represent each of these flags that is stored in the trace_flags_index array. The address of the index array element is used to pass to the inode->i_private pointer. Then that element is read which holds the index (which represents the flag) and then the index is used to calculate the trace_array descriptor from its trace_flags_index array. One issue is that the index element can not be referenced until the trace_array's reference is taken. To handle this, create a new helper function called: trace_array_options_get() that will iterate all the existing trace_arrays in the ftrace_trace_arrays list (under the trace_types_lock), and compare the passed in address of the index element with the entire array of the trace_array's trace_flags_index array. If it matches, then up the corresponding trace_array's reference and return.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-90013 since 09/11/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. 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 09/16/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.18.52, 7.2.5 or 7.3-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d0f37d77b9b4b241e0b30ef2562f6353cbda3bec/64a41f4a9a968f54f3792399aa4d2a9fdb23b0a5/f2951ebd15c36a1ea4820a7f0cbb0b5f1c028b73 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.

Productinfo

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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: d0f37d77b9b4b241e0b30ef2562f6353cbda3bec/64a41f4a9a968f54f3792399aa4d2a9fdb23b0a5/f2951ebd15c36a1ea4820a7f0cbb0b5f1c028b73

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-2026-90013 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-90013
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-405863

Entryinfo

Created: 09/16/2026 15:26
Changes: 09/16/2026 15:26 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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