NULL pointer dereference in Linux kernel ring buffer buffer_meta
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 6 without a fix
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
Linux kernel versions from 6.12 are affected before 6.12.115, 6.18.59, 7.2.13 and 7.3, which contain the fix. The per-CPU buffer_meta file is shown for every possible CPU, but the kernel does not check that a CPU has a buffer before showing it. Reading this file for a CPU that never came online causes a NULL pointer dereference in rbm_start.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ring-buffer: Do not show buffer_meta for CPUs without a buffer The per_cpu/cpuN/buffer_meta files are created for every possible CPU, but buffer->buffers[cpu] is only allocated once that CPU comes online. Reading the file of a CPU that never came online dereferences a NULL cpu_buffer in rbm_start(). Fail the open with -ENODEV when the CPU has no buffer, as the other per CPU ring buffer interfaces do.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
Remediation
Upgrade the Linux kernel to 6.12.115, 6.18.59, 7.2.13, 7.3 or a later release in its branch. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 and 5 are affected, and Red Hat's plan for them is none_available.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.12.115, 6.18.59, 7.2.13, 7.3
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: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Timeline
- 2026-10-28 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-99160
- 2026-10-28 Alias added: GHSA-pw95-h85m-gvhp
- 2026-10-30 Fix available: Linux/Linux@445bc0e0ed7b3f69b78a0fd8d3a8fdb4e20bc379, Linux/[email protected] · CNA
- 2026-10-30 1 new reference · CNA
- 2026-11-01 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-01 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-11-02 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
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Sources
- CVE-2026-99160 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-99160 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-pw95-h85m-gvhp · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-99160 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences