net/sched: act_api: use RCU with deferred freeing for action lifecycle
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: 28 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: net/sched: act_api: use RCU with deferred freeing for action lifecycle When NEWTFILTER and DELFILTER are run concurrently it is possible to create a race with an associated action. Let's illustrate with CPU0 running NEWTFILTER and CPU1 running DELFILTER: 0: mutex_lock() <-- holds the idr lock 0: rcu_read_lock() 0: p = idr_find(idr, index) <-- action p is valid (RCU protects IDR) 0: mutex_unlock() <-- releases the idr lock 1: refcount_dec_and_mutex_lock() <-- refcnt 1->0, mutex held 1: idr_remove(idr, index) <-- Action removed from IDR 1: mutex_unlock() <-- mutex released allowing us to delete the action 1: tcf_action_cleanup(p); kfree(p) <-- Kfrees p immediately, no deferral 0: refcount_inc_not_zero(&p->tcfa_refcnt) <-- ouch, UAF p points to freed memory This patch fixes the race condition between NEWTFILTER and DELFILTER by adding struct rcu_head to tc_action used in the deferral and introducing a call_rcu() in the delete path to defer the final kfree(). Note: this is a revert of commit d7fb60b9cafb ("net_sched: get rid of tcfa_rcu") but also modernization/simplification to directly use kfree_rcu(). Let's illustrate the new restored code path: 0: rcu_read_lock() 1: refcount_dec_and_mutex_lock() <-- refcnt 1->0, mutex held 1: idr_remove(idr, index) 1: mutex_unlock() 1: call_rcu(&p->tcfa_rcu, tcf_action_rcu_free) <-- defer kfree after grace period 0: p = idr_find(idr, index) 0: refcount_inc_not_zero(&p->tcfa_refcnt) <-- fails, refcnt already 0 1: rcu_read_unlock() <-- release so freeing can run after grace period After CPU1 calls idr_remove(), the object is no longer reachable through the IDR. CPU0's subsequent idr_find() will return NULL, and even if it still held a stale pointer, the immediate kfree() is now deferred until after the RCU grace period, so no UAF can occur.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- 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 | 4.14 and later | 5.10.259, 5.15.210, 6.1.176, 6.6.143, 6.12.94, 6.18.36, 7.0.13, 7.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 4.14 and later Fixed in 5.10.259, 5.15.210, 6.1.176, 6.6.143, 6.12.94, 6.18.36, 7.0.13, 7.1 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 7
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.14 to before 5.10.259; 5.11 to before 5.15.210; 5.16 to before 6.1.176; 6.2 to before 6.6.143; 6.7 to before 6.12.94; 6.13 to before 6.18.36; 6.19 to before 7.0.13 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.1 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.1 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.1 rc3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.1 rc4 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.1 rc5 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.1 rc6 | Vulnerable | Linux |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.14 to before 5.10.259; 5.11 to before 5.15.210; 5.16 to before 6.1.176; 6.2 to before 6.6.143; 6.7 to before 6.12.94; 6.13 to before 6.18.36; 6.19 to before 7.0.13 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.1 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.1 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.1 rc3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.1 rc4 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.1 rc5 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.1 rc6 Vulnerable ·Linux
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.10.259, 5.15.210, 6.1.176, 6.6.143, 6.12.94, 6.18.36, 7.0.13, 7.1
Red Hat 12 advisories
- RHSA-2026:62641 Released 2026-09-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_116_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_17_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_39_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_66_1, and kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_94_1 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_116_1-1-9.el9_6, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_17_1-1-24.el9_6, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-570_39_1-1-15.el9_6 +2
- RHSA-2026:62640 Released 2026-09-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkpatch-patch-5_14_0-687_10_1 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) kpatch-patch-5_14_0-687_10_1-1-8.el9_8
- RHSA-2026:62642 Released 2026-09-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkpatch-patch-6_12_0-211_16_1 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) kpatch-patch-6_12_0-211_16_1-1-8.el10_2
Show 9 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2026:62639 Released 2026-09-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_100_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_113_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_126_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_68_2, and kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_84_1 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.4) kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_100_1-1-14.el9_4, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_113_1-1-12.el9_4, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-427_126_1-1-9.el9_4 +2
- RHSA-2026:62638 Released 2026-09-02 · Red Hat rating Importantkpatch-patch-5_14_0-284_117_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-284_134_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-284_148_1, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-284_158_1, and kpatch-patch-5_14_0-284_172_1 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) kpatch-patch-5_14_0-284_117_1-1-21.el9_2, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-284_134_1-1-15.el9_2, kpatch-patch-5_14_0-284_148_1-1-13.el9_2 +2
- RHSA-2026:54515 Released 2026-08-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-284.187.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-284.187.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-284.187.1.el9_2 +10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) bpftool-7.0.0-284.187.1.el9_2, kernel-5.14.0-284.187.1.el9_2, kernel-64k-5.14.0-284.187.1.el9_2 +29
- RHSA-2026:55445 Released 2026-08-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, libperf-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) kernel-rt-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-55.98.1.el10_0 +11
- RHSA-2026:55443 Released 2026-08-17 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.187.1.rt14.472.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.187.1.rt14.472.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.187.1.rt14.472.el9_2 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) kernel-rt-5.14.0-284.187.1.rt14.472.el9_2, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-284.187.1.rt14.472.el9_2, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-284.187.1.rt14.472.el9_2 +11
- RHSA-2026:54482 Released 2026-08-13 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.4) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.4) bpftool-7.3.0-427.144.1.el9_4, kernel-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.144.1.el9_4 +11
- RHSA-2026:54443 Released 2026-08-13 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) kernel-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, libperf-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-687.39.1.el9_8 +9
- RHSA-2026:54343 Released 2026-08-12 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) kernel-64k-debug-devel-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-devel-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) kernel-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, kernel-64k-core-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) kernel-tools-libs-devel-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, libperf-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-64k-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-64k-core-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) kernel-rt-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-core-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2, kernel-rt-debug-6.12.0-211.47.1.el10_2 +9
- RHSA-2026:53990 Released 2026-08-12 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, libperf-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) kernel-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, kernel-64k-core-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6 +28
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-64k-core-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) kernel-rt-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-570.134.1.el9_6 +11
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:53990 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54343 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54443 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54515 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54482 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:55445 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:53990 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54343, RHSA-2026:62642 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54443, RHSA-2026:62640 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54515, RHSA-2026:62638 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54482, RHSA-2026:62639 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:55445 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:53990, RHSA-2026:62641 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54343 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54443 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:55445 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54343 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54443 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:55443 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54482 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:55445 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:53990 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54343 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54443 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:55443 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:54482 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:55445 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:53990 |
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-2026-53264
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-vq3g-6qwh-5wj2
- 2026-10-29 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
Patch 8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/98b2e40879abf0245be5a5b7af69e0f6ff524ac3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18af5d2ef0c4f65787fd1280c8b23286b9f2a835
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1f1b98fea6b9ea30507d0f2fbff6750292d097e2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8b136f18ac4b2ace5aaad3305b3f8a5d8165a009
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5dd51e09020c65aa53cf128e5e3517cd53b3c113
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b60e9391142e983fab2be53497aa8f71fdd09cd5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/91d105d2cbe002f9c7b43a6183adedc37e1da1f7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5057e1aca011e51ef51498c940ef96f3d3e8a305
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Sources
- CVE-2026-53264 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-53264 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-vq3g-6qwh-5wj2 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-53264 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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