Linux kernel keyctl read can read freed module memory
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
The Linux kernel keyctl_read_key() function checks a key type's read method before taking the key semaphore. While the AF_RXRPC module is being unloaded, a read of a surviving RxRPC key can access module memory that has already been freed.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: keys: Protect the read method check against type removal keyctl_read_key() checks key->type->read without holding key->sem. A reference keeps the key alive, but does not pin the module containing its type. A surviving RxRPC key can therefore be read while AF_RXRPC is being unloaded: KEYCTL_READ task Module unload and key GC ---------------- ------------------------ lookup_user_key() permission / possession checks load key->type af_rxrpc_exit() unregister_key_type() GC: down_write(key->sem) GC: retype to key_type_dead GC: up_write(key->sem) unregister_key_type() returns free_module() read saved type's read member The final access can read freed module storage. The read invocation in __keyctl_read_key() is already protected by key->sem, but the earlier method check is outside that critical section. Move the method check into __keyctl_read_key(), after key_validate() and under its existing read hold on key->sem. The check and invocation then use the same protected type for length queries and every read retry. The GC cannot retype the key until the semaphore is released, and type unregistration waits for that GC pass before the module can be freed. Return -EOPNOTSUPP when validation succeeds and the type has no read method. A temporary buffer may now be allocated before this result; allocation and copying to userspace remain outside the semaphore.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 4.14.177 to before 4.15; 4.19.118 to before 4.20; 5.4.35 to before 5.5; 5.6.7 to before 5.7 | 4.15, 4.20, 5.5, 5.7 | Patch available | CNA |
| Linux | Linux | 5.7 and later | 5.10.273, 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1, 7.4-rc1 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 4.14.177 to before 4.15; 4.19.118 to before 4.20; 5.4.35 to before 5.5; 5.6.7 to before 5.7 Fixed in 4.15, 4.20, 5.5, 5.7 Patch available CNA
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 5.7 and later Fixed in 5.10.273, 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1, 7.4-rc1 Patch available CNA
Remediation
The Linux kernel fixed versions are 4.15, 4.20, 5.5, 5.7, 5.10.273, 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1 and 7.4-rc1. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 has no fix planned. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, 9 and 10 and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 and 5 have no fix available yet.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 4.15, 4.20, 5.5, 5.7
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.10.273, 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1, 7.4-rc1
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 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| 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 7
Timeline
- 2026-11-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-99222
- 2026-11-02 Alias added: GHSA-j4rg-4w46-639c
- 2026-11-03 Fix available: Linux/[email protected], Linux/Linux@925c84e3cc21caf09de92d9bcafab0147790debf · CNA
- 2026-11-03 1 new reference · CNA
- 2026-11-04 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-04 CVSS score added · Red Hat
References
Other 9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e5f830ae6611cddbfc504c43f14155f60b63206a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff11cfed85cbfdd7fe1185ebd18d2c7a8353ad8d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1486caee47b4909f52835a957c3293e970113e44
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff44f1b303aa76a818d898e85c56ed4852c031e2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6a36e2a1a017c51f8a8ad2a094566bad97c46a9b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3edc064069d07e7d37359fcb4d03d3bab15ee3ab
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf1af7df80e38bf58bd74c2cccce32fcbd1a596a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e2a2deda08d91644f5e30c17d267b1cdc5f124b2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/925c84e3cc21caf09de92d9bcafab0147790debf
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Sources
- CVE-2026-99222 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-99222 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-j4rg-4w46-639c · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-99222 · 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