Linux Kernel up to 6.6.160/6.12.114/6.18.59/7.2.13 io_uring io_uring/wait.c io_cqring_wait_schedule infinite loop

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6.2	$0-$5k	0.85-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.160/6.12.114/6.18.59/7.2.13 and classified as critical. This affects the function io_cqring_wait_schedule of the file io_uring/wait.c of the component io_uring. Performing a manipulation results in infinite loop. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-99229. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.160/6.12.114/6.18.59/7.2.13. This affects the function io_cqring_wait_schedule of the file io_uring/wait.c of the component io_uring. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a infinite loop vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-835. The product contains an iteration or loop with an exit condition that cannot be reached, i.e., an infinite loop. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: io_uring/wait: don't spin on a stuck overflow list As long as IO_CHECK_CQ_OVERFLOW_BIT is set, io_cqring_wait_schedule() returns right away, before it gets to look at signals or arms the timeout, for io_cqring_wait() to flush the overflow list. If that doesn't empty the list, and the CQ ring doesn't hold the number of events the caller wants, the loop starts over, with the same result. The task spins in the kernel, and can't be killed. The assumption is that this can't happen: if CQEs can't be flushed, the ring is full, and min_events is capped to the size of the ring. But: - With IORING_SETUP_CQE_MIXED a 32b CQE needs two contiguous entries. It is stuck on the list if a single one is free, and then the ring holds less than cq_entries events. A single threaded application that asks for as many events as the ring has entries never gets out of io_uring_enter(). - Whether the ring is full is up to the CQ head, which the application can write to. While one thread waits for events on an empty ring, another one can move the head back so that the ring looks full and have a CQE overflow. The waiter can't be stopped any more, not even by SIGKILL. Only the application can make room in the CQ ring. Return to it if the list could not be flushed.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-99229 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 11/03/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1499 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 375366 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-99229), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60 or 7.2.14 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch bf1d2ed84b3162e3b0e0bb7018ac59147da6e975/a6cfc85c6bf9498aaf1978b503f9663635a1aa22/4a89352edd8b3e20d1e1fb33f0fc297dd137149f/c347691e5dc5481b2d6943c123619e04847fb0dc is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (375366). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.6.160
• 6.12.114
• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1
• 6.18.2
• 6.18.3
• 6.18.4
• 6.18.5
• 6.18.6
• 6.18.7
• 6.18.8
• 6.18.9
• 6.18.10
• 6.18.11
• 6.18.12
• 6.18.13
• 6.18.14
• 6.18.15
• 6.18.16
• 6.18.17
• 6.18.18
• 6.18.19
• 6.18.20
• 6.18.21
• 6.18.22
• 6.18.23
• 6.18.24
• 6.18.25
• 6.18.26
• 6.18.27
• 6.18.28
• 6.18.29
• 6.18.30
• 6.18.31
• 6.18.32
• 6.18.33
• 6.18.34
• 6.18.35
• 6.18.36
• 6.18.37
• 6.18.38
• 6.18.39
• 6.18.40
• 6.18.41
• 6.18.42
• 6.18.43
• 6.18.44
• 6.18.45
• 6.18.46
• 6.18.47
• 6.18.48
• 6.18.49
• 6.18.50
• 6.18.51
• 6.18.52
• 6.18.53
• 6.18.54
• 6.18.55
• 6.18.56
• 6.18.57
• 6.18.58
• 6.18.59
• 7.2.0
• 7.2.1
• 7.2.2
• 7.2.3
• 7.2.4
• 7.2.5
• 7.2.6
• 7.2.7
• 7.2.8
• 7.2.9
• 7.2.10
• 7.2.11
• 7.2.12
• 7.2.13

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Temp Score: 6.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Infinite loop
CWE: CWE-835 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 375366
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-99229

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.161/6.12.115/6.18.60/7.2.14
Patch: bf1d2ed84b3162e3b0e0bb7018ac59147da6e975/a6cfc85c6bf9498aaf1978b503f9663635a1aa22/4a89352edd8b3e20d1e1fb33f0fc297dd137149f/c347691e5dc5481b2d6943c123619e04847fb0dc

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
11/02/2026 +38 days Advisory disclosed
11/02/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
11/03/2026 +1 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CNA: Linux
CVE: CVE-2026-99229 (🔒)

GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-99229
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-429915

Entryinfo

Created: 11/02/2026 17:26
Updated: 11/03/2026 07:16
Changes: 11/02/2026 17:26 (60), 11/03/2026 07:16 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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Discussion

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