Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2 Tracing trace_events.c TP_printk q_vector/q_index 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, which was classified as very critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. Affected by this issue is the function TP_printk of the file kernel/trace/trace_events.c of the component Tracing. Such manipulation of the argument q_vector/q_index leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-97978. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc2. It has been rated as very critical. Affected by this issue is the function TP_printk of the file kernel/trace/trace_events.c of the component Tracing. The manipulation of the argument q_vector/q_index with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: eth: ice: don't dereference pointers from TP_printk() After forwarding net-next during the v7.3 merge window we started seeing: TRACE EVENT ERROR: Event ice_tx_dim_work has double dereference in TP_printk: REC->q_vector->tx.tx_ring->q_index WARNING: kernel/trace/trace_events.c:420 at test_double_dereference.cold+0x39/0x4b this is due to extra checks added in tracing subsystem in commit b5cc230af5e5 ("tracing: Warn when an event dereferences a pointer in TP_printk()"). Printing happens long after the event was recorded, by which point the pointers may be invalid (the ring or the dim instance). Copy the eight scalars into the event instead.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-97978 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 09/25/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.111, 6.18.53, 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ae230874e3ba27e975a9bb21a6ffd05d6a2ea318/0b0d2f9db2406aa541a8bc3737f4f4aae1cafde9/c42db35518bb0eae42ec955520eee0aa94a4a6fe/b8bf9bfda5f62e11444e483c2b4aaff90c5cfc6b is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
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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 6.12.111/6.18.53/7.2.7/7.3-rc3
Patch: ae230874e3ba27e975a9bb21a6ffd05d6a2ea318/0b0d2f9db2406aa541a8bc3737f4f4aae1cafde9/c42db35518bb0eae42ec955520eee0aa94a4a6fe/b8bf9bfda5f62e11444e483c2b4aaff90c5cfc6b

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/25/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/25/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-97978 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97978
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-410048

Entryinfo

Created: 09/25/2026 14:09
Changes: 09/25/2026 14:09 (61)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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