Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5 bpf input validation

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as very critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component bpf. Performing a manipulation results in input validation. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-90177. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5. This affects some unknown functionality of the component bpf. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Check pointer type for all atomic RMW paths Atomic RMW verification records an instruction pointer type only when the current destination is PTR_TO_ARENA. A second path can therefore reach the same instruction with an ordinary pointer without comparing it against the saved arena type. The post-verification fixup uses the saved type to rewrite the instruction to BPF_PROBE_ATOMIC for every path. Record the actual destination type for all atomic RMW paths so the existing mismatch check rejects incompatible uses of one instruction.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-90177 since 09/11/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploitation requires an enhanced level of successful authentication. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/17/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.2.6 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch eb287c6e81dedef92da01eb947f380d0aae513c3/4bc49ae344d65cfcef738f281ac575cf73ca2fc5 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

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 7.2.0
• 7.2.1
• 7.2.2
• 7.2.3
• 7.2.4
• 7.2.5

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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