bpf, sockmap: Avoid using sk_socket after free when sending
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 23 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-416 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf, sockmap: Avoid using sk_socket after free when sending The sk->sk_socket is not locked or referenced in backlog thread, and during the call to skb_send_sock(), there is a race condition with the release of sk_socket. All types of sockets(tcp/udp/unix/vsock) will be affected. Race conditions: ''' CPU0 CPU1 backlog::skb_send_sock sendmsg_unlocked sock_sendmsg sock_sendmsg_nosec close(fd): ... ops->release() -> sock_map_close() sk_socket->ops = NULL free(socket) sock->ops->sendmsg ^ panic here ''' The ref of psock become 0 after sock_map_close() executed. ''' void sock_map_close() { ... if (likely(psock)) { ... // !! here we remove psock and the ref of psock become 0 sock_map_remove_links(sk, psock) psock = sk_psock_get(sk); if (unlikely(!psock)) goto no_psock; <=== Control jumps here via goto ... cancel_delayed_work_sync(&psock->work); <=== not executed sk_psock_put(sk, psock); ... } ''' Based on the fact that we already wait for the workqueue to finish in sock_map_close() if psock is held, we simply increase the psock reference count to avoid race conditions. With this patch, if the backlog thread is running, sock_map_close() will wait for the backlog thread to complete and cancel all pending work. If no backlog running, any pending work that hasn't started by then will fail when invoked by sk_psock_get(), as the psock reference count have been zeroed, and sk_psock_drop() will cancel all jobs via cancel_delayed_work_sync(). In summary, we require synchronization to coordinate the backlog thread and close() thread. The panic I catched: ''' Workqueue: events sk_psock_backlog RIP: 0010:sock_sendmsg+0x21d/0x440 RAX: 0000000000000000 RBX: ffffc9000521fad8 RCX: 0000000000000001 ... Call Trace: <TASK> ? die_addr+0x40/0xa0 ? exc_general_protection+0x14c/0x230 ? asm_exc_general_protection+0x26/0x30 ? sock_sendmsg+0x21d/0x440 ? sock_sendmsg+0x3e0/0x440 ? __pfx_sock_sendmsg+0x10/0x10 __skb_send_sock+0x543/0xb70 sk_psock_backlog+0x247/0xb80 ... '''
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5.15.162 to before 5.15.186; 6.1.95 to before 6.1.142; 6.6.35 to before 6.6.94; 6.9.6 to before 6.10 | 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.94, 6.10 | Patch available | CNA |
| Linux | Linux | 6.10 and later | 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.94, 6.12.34, 6.15.3, 6.16 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 5.15.162 to before 5.15.186; 6.1.95 to before 6.1.142; 6.6.35 to before 6.6.94; 6.9.6 to before 6.10 Fixed in 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.94, 6.10 Patch available CNA
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 6.10 and later Fixed in 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.94, 6.12.34, 6.15.3, 6.16 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 9
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.15.162 to before 5.15.186; 6.1.95 to before 6.1.142; 6.6.35 to before 6.6.94; 6.9.6 to before 6.10; 6.10.1 to before 6.12.34; 6.13 to before 6.15.3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.10 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.10 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.10 rc3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.10 rc4 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.10 rc5 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.10 rc6 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.10 rc7 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 11.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.15.162 to before 5.15.186; 6.1.95 to before 6.1.142; 6.6.35 to before 6.6.94; 6.9.6 to before 6.10; 6.10.1 to before 6.12.34; 6.13 to before 6.15.3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.10 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.10 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.10 rc3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.10 rc4 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.10 rc5 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.10 rc6 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.10:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.10 rc7 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 11.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.94, 6.10
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.15.186, 6.1.142, 6.6.94, 6.12.34, 6.15.3, 6.16
Red Hat 7 advisories
- RHSA-2026:27731 Released 2026-06-22 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, libperf-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-55.82.1.el10_0 +11
- RHSA-2026:7100 Released 2026-04-08 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV E4S (v.9.0) kernel-rt-5.14.0-70.173.1.rt21.245.el9_0, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-70.173.1.rt21.245.el9_0, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-70.173.1.rt21.245.el9_0 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.0) kernel-rt-5.14.0-70.173.1.rt21.245.el9_0, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-70.173.1.rt21.245.el9_0, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-70.173.1.rt21.245.el9_0 +7
- RHSA-2026:7013 Released 2026-04-08 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.0) kernel-debug-devel-5.14.0-70.173.1.el9_0, kernel-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-70.173.1.el9_0, kernel-devel-5.14.0-70.173.1.el9_0 +5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.0) bpftool-5.14.0-70.173.1.el9_0, kernel-5.14.0-70.173.1.el9_0, kernel-abi-stablelists-5.14.0-70.173.1.el9_0 +14
Show 4 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2026:6310 Released 2026-04-01 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4, libperf-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) bpftool-7.3.0-427.117.1.el9_4, kernel-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.117.1.el9_4 +11
- RHSA-2026:5813 Released 2026-03-25 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-284.161.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-284.161.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-284.161.1.el9_2 +10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) bpftool-7.0.0-284.161.1.el9_2, kernel-5.14.0-284.161.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-5.14.0-284.161.1.el9_2 +29
- RHSA-2026:5690 Released 2026-03-25 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.161.1.rt14.446.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.161.1.rt14.446.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.161.1.rt14.446.el9_2 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.161.1.rt14.446.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.161.1.rt14.446.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.161.1.rt14.446.el9_2 +11
- RHSA-2026:3520 Released 2026-03-02 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, libperf-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kernel-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-570.94.1.el9_6 +11
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6310 |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:3520 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:7013 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:5813 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6310 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:3520 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:7013 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:5813 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6310 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:3520 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:7100 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:7100 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:5690 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6310 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:3520 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:5690 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:27731 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:6310 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:3520 |
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-38154
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-vvj3-j4jg-68hm
- 2026-10-16 CISA SSVC decision points changed
References
Patch 6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4edb40b05cb6a261775abfd8046804ca139a5546
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b19cbf0b9a91f5a0d93fbcd761ff71c48ab40ed9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4c6fa65ab2aec7df94809478c8d28ef38676a1b7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/15c0250dae3b48a398447d2b364603821ed4ed90
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7c0a16f6ea2b1c82a03bccd5d1bdb4a7bbd4d987
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8259eb0e06d8f64c700f5fbdb28a5c18e10de291
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Sources
- CVE-2025-38154 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-38154 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-vvj3-j4jg-68hm · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2025-38154 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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