Linux Kernel up to 7.2.6/7.3-rc2 tracing trace_event_put_ref null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.6/7.3-rc2. It has been classified as very critical. The affected element is the function trace_event_put_ref of the component tracing. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-97932. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.6/7.3-rc2. It has been classified as very critical. This affects the function trace_event_put_ref of the component tracing. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. 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: tracing: Don't dereference trace_event_file in deferred trigger free The enable_event trigger defers trace_event_put_ref() to the trigger free kthread, but the trace_event_file can already be freed when the instance is removed. Keep the trace_event_call directly in enable_trigger_data so the deferred free does not access the freed trace_event_file.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-97932 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/25/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 67fb91a7f7bb1d958cf9cc249c912bca9b2fc821/bcfe2816e6ec46c3f4c58aa4264476665ddb3f69 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
• 7.2.6
• 7.3-rc1
• 7.3-rc2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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