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TI-2026-83887 Aliases CVE-2026-99222GHSA-j4rg-4w46-639c

Linux kernel keyctl read can read freed module memory

Priority LOW 22Published · Updated

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

EPSS 0.00182 7th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Linux (Linux): 4.15, 4.20, 5.5 +10Red Hat: 6 without a fix

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
LinuxLinux4.14.177 to before 4.15; 4.19.118 to before 4.20; 5.4.35 to before 5.5; 5.6.7 to before 5.74.15, 4.20, 5.5, 5.7Patch availableCNA
LinuxLinux5.7 and later5.10.273, 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1, 7.4-rc1Patch availableCNA
  • 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

CPE names Threatist (inferred) · 1

Inferred from how NVD named this product before; not given by a source.

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*——Linux
  • cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions — — ·Linux

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 →

ProductStatusPlan or fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10AffectedNo fix yet: Fix deferred
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6AffectedNo fix planned: Out of support scope
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8AffectedNo fix yet: Fix deferred
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9AffectedNo fix yet: Fix deferred
Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4AffectedNo fix yet: Fix deferred
Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5AffectedNo fix yet: Fix deferred
Not affected: 1 product
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7

Timeline

  1. 2026-11-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-99222
  2. 2026-11-02 Alias added: GHSA-j4rg-4w46-639c
  3. 2026-11-03 Fix available: Linux/[email protected], Linux/Linux@925c84e3cc21caf09de92d9bcafab0147790debf · CNA
  4. 2026-11-03 1 new reference · CNA
  5. 2026-11-04 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
  6. 2026-11-04 CVSS score added · Red Hat

References

  • TI-2025-26358 tls: fix handling of zero-length records on the rx_list KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
  • TI-2026-38352 netfilter: bridge: make ebt_snat ARP rewrite writable KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2021-02452 Incorrect authorization in Ubuntu linux kernel KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2013-05264 The (1) get_user and (2) put_user API functions in the Linux kernel before 3.5.5 on the… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2022-00125 Integer overflow in kernel KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
  • TI-2013-01864 The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
See all 21741 →

Sources