Unprotected key type name in Linux kernel key describe path
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 6 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The Linux kernel from 3.18 is affected. The keyctl_describe_key() path uses a key type name without holding the key semaphore, so the name can be read after its module has been unloaded. A local attacker with low privileges and precise timing can cause a kernel page fault, with high impact to confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: keys: Protect the type name while describing a key keyctl_describe_key() must keep the key type's name alive until kasprintf() has consumed it. The retained key reference keeps the key and its description alive, but does not pin the module providing its type. The name is passed to kasprintf() without holding key->sem. kvasprintf() uses the saved name pointer in two formatting passes, with a GFP_KERNEL allocation between them. With AF_RXRPC=m, a task that passes View permission before type retirement can overlap a privileged module unload in this order: 1. KEYCTL_DESCRIBE looks up the key, saves key->type->name in the kasprintf() arguments and completes the first formatting pass. 2. While the formatter is delayed before its second pass, af_rxrpc_exit() calls unregister_key_type(), which removes the type from the registry and waits for key_gc_keytype(). 3. The collector takes key->sem for writing, retypes the retained key to key_type_dead and completes retirement. Unregistration and module exit return, allowing free_module() to release the type and name. 4. The formatter resumes its second pass and reads the saved name from released module storage, which can fault in string(). Hold key->sem for reading across kasprintf(). The collector then cannot retype the key or complete retirement until both formatting passes have finished. If retirement wins the lock first, formatting uses the core key_type_dead name instead. Release the semaphore immediately after kasprintf(), including on allocation failure, before copying to userspace. Oops report as below: BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: fffffbfff8054794 #PF: supervisor read access in kernel mode #PF: error_code(0x0000) - not-present page RIP: 0010:string+0x23f/0x470 Call Trace: vsnprintf+0x330/0x1110
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 | 3.18 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 3.18 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
Update the Linux kernel to 5.10.273, 5.15.224, 6.1.191, 6.6.161, 6.12.115, 6.18.60, 7.2.14, 7.3.1 or 7.4-rc1 or later in its branch. Red Hat lists no fix available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, 8, 9 and 10 and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 and 5.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
- 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 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 | Affected | No fix yet |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Timeline
- 2026-11-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-99224
- 2026-11-02 Alias added: GHSA-hcgw-fq49-4f77
- 2026-11-03 Fix available: Linux/[email protected], Linux/Linux@fced7238b7e80cf8aa688d5af976e4aa6e33c329 · CNA
- 2026-11-03 1 new reference · CNA
- 2026-11-04 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 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/19c4de819e52b7f606468fbfe4fcef4e812e2777
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a49e6c9a1a5b3457c946a8efb616ce13b4ca8194
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/916667df7695366f23cfaf365b5840b228cc4b2e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dddd3a1ab7d12ee163477918ff6eb943361db4fe
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3c3cfd9e262afc9558c38f8cec57f09d10988546
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b613747f7ea309ada5b8d05b55398c338f7a968
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dea367df18e3a4faac393e3a4e818ee03af89b19
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0461bc8f91116aae4a020e15f4e1c1fd535ab35e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fced7238b7e80cf8aa688d5af976e4aa6e33c329
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Sources
- CVE-2026-99224 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-99224 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-hcgw-fq49-4f77 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-99224 · 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