CVE-2026-98260 (GCVE-0-2026-98260)

Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-10-06 08:45 – Updated: 2026-10-07 06:49
VLAI
Title
exec: Cleanup POSIX timers right after de_thread()
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: exec: Cleanup POSIX timers right after de_thread() A per-thread CPU timer holds a reference to the PID of the thread it is attached to and, while it is armed, its node is queued in that thread's posix_cputimers. The task is looked up by that PID. When a non-leader thread exec()s, de_thread() changes which task owns that PID. pid_task(timer->it.cpu.pid, PIDTYPE_PID) then returns NULL, but the node is still queued on tsk, which is alive. timer_lock_sighand() takes a failed lookup to mean that the node is already dequeued, so it has nothing to undo. begin_new_exec() calls posix_cpu_timers_exit(me) right after exec_task_namespaces() and that removes the leftover node, so the state normally stays invisible. But bprm->point_of_no_return is set before de_thread(), so if unshare_files(), set_mm_exe_file(), exec_mmap() or exec_task_namespaces() fails, the task dies before it gets there. exit_itimers() then frees the k_itimer while its node is still queued, and reaping tsk later erases that freed node from the rbtree. In short: the non-leader thread B the parent timer_create(CLOCK_THREAD_CPUTIME_ID) timer_settime() arm_timer() // the node is queued on B execve() de_thread(B) exchange_tids(B, leader) // B's PID now belongs to the leader release_task(leader) __exit_signal(leader) posix_cpu_timers_exit(leader) // cleans leader's queue, not B's __unhash_process(leader) // that PID has no task anymore exec_mmap() mmap_read_lock_killable(old_mm) kill(B, SIGKILL) // -EINTR get_signal() do_exit() exit_itimers() posix_timer_delete() posix_cpu_timer_del() posix_timer_unhash_and_free() // freed while still queued wait4() release_task(B) posix_cpu_timers_exit(B) cleanup_timerqueue() timerqueue_del() // use-after-free Move the POSIX timer cleanup right after de_thread() before any of the later failure conditions brings the task into do_exit(). [ tglx: Move the cleanup right after de_thread() ]
Severity
7.8 (High)
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Assigner
Linux CNA under the mitre root
CNA scorecard D 54/100 over 6619 records in the last 180 days details
References
Impacted products
Vendor Product Version CPE status
Linux Linux Affected: 55e8c8eb2c7b6bf30e99423ccfe7ca032f498f59 , < 6f1977cea3e85cd8ab55fb337d3e1725fe61d1ce (git)
Affected: 55e8c8eb2c7b6bf30e99423ccfe7ca032f498f59 , < d9ae467e617ca29b825493a362bf0d75ad5f4ac3 (git)
Affected: 55e8c8eb2c7b6bf30e99423ccfe7ca032f498f59 , < 75aa08b93c65766040f9ca99f41ac85ad22596b6 (git)
Affected: 55e8c8eb2c7b6bf30e99423ccfe7ca032f498f59 , < d602877baf36c43c788a5f472c977e0be414029f (git)
Affected: 55e8c8eb2c7b6bf30e99423ccfe7ca032f498f59 , < acb03d3881818581052924a9bbbe92b8741ed448 (git)
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Linux Linux Affected: 5.7
Unaffected: 0 , < 5.7 (semver)
Unaffected: 6.6.158 , ≤ 6.6.* (semver)
Unaffected: 6.12.112 , ≤ 6.12.* (semver)
Unaffected: 6.18.54 , ≤ 6.18.* (semver)
Unaffected: 7.2.8 , ≤ 7.2.* (semver)
Unaffected: 7.3-rc4 , ≤ * (original_commit_for_fix)
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Show details on NVD website
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{
  "containers": {
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          "product": "Linux",
          "programFiles": [
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      "cpeApplicability": [
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      "descriptions": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:\n\nexec: Cleanup POSIX timers right after de_thread()\n\nA per-thread CPU timer holds a reference to the PID of the thread it is\nattached to and, while it is armed, its node is queued in that thread\u0027s\nposix_cputimers. The task is looked up by that PID.\n\nWhen a non-leader thread exec()s, de_thread() changes which task owns\nthat PID. pid_task(timer-\u003eit.cpu.pid, PIDTYPE_PID) then returns NULL,\nbut the node is still queued on tsk, which is alive. timer_lock_sighand()\ntakes a failed lookup to mean that the node is already dequeued, so it\nhas nothing to undo.\n\nbegin_new_exec() calls posix_cpu_timers_exit(me) right after\nexec_task_namespaces() and that removes the leftover node, so the state\nnormally stays invisible. But bprm-\u003epoint_of_no_return is set before\nde_thread(), so if unshare_files(), set_mm_exe_file(), exec_mmap() or\nexec_task_namespaces() fails, the task dies before it gets there.\nexit_itimers() then frees the k_itimer while its node is still queued,\nand reaping tsk later erases that freed node from the rbtree.\n\nIn short:\n\n      the non-leader thread B           the parent\n\n  timer_create(CLOCK_THREAD_CPUTIME_ID)\n  timer_settime()\n    arm_timer()            // the node is queued on B\n  execve()\n    de_thread(B)\n      exchange_tids(B, leader)  // B\u0027s PID now belongs to the leader\n      release_task(leader)\n        __exit_signal(leader)\n          posix_cpu_timers_exit(leader)  // cleans leader\u0027s queue, not B\u0027s\n          __unhash_process(leader)  // that PID has no task anymore\n    exec_mmap()\n      mmap_read_lock_killable(old_mm)\n                                kill(B, SIGKILL)\n      // -EINTR\n  get_signal()\n    do_exit()\n      exit_itimers()\n        posix_timer_delete()\n          posix_cpu_timer_del()\n        posix_timer_unhash_and_free()  // freed while still queued\n                                wait4()\n                                  release_task(B)\n                                    posix_cpu_timers_exit(B)\n                                      cleanup_timerqueue()\n                                        timerqueue_del()  // use-after-free\n\nMove the POSIX timer cleanup right after de_thread() before any of the\nlater failure conditions brings the task into do_exit().\n\n[ tglx: Move the cleanup right after de_thread() ]"
        }
      ],
      "metrics": [
        {
          "cvssV3_1": {
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            "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
            "version": "3.1"
          },
          "scenarios": [
            {
              "lang": "en",
              "value": "AV:L - The bug needs local syscalls: timer_create(CLOCK_THREAD_CPUTIME_ID) and timer_settime() on a non-leader thread, then execve(). That thread\u0027s exec must fail after de_thread() in begin_new_exec() (e.g. exec_mmap() returning -EINTR on SIGKILL). No remote protocol carries any of this input.\nAC:L - The attacker controls both sides of the race. Their own parent sends SIGKILL while exec_mmap() waits on down_write_killable(exec_update_lock) or mmap_read_lock_killable(old_mm), and they can create that lock contention with their own CLONE_VM or /proc readers. No condition outside their control is needed.\nPR:L - Arming a thread CPU timer, calling execve and signalling one\u0027s own child are all available to any unprivileged user, with no capability checks on this path. A local unprivileged account is enough.\nUI:N - The attacker\u0027s own processes perform every step (timer arm, execve from a non-leader thread, SIGKILL, wait4 reap), so no victim action is needed.\nS:U - The memory corruption is inside the kernel that the attacker\u0027s process runs on. The outcome is a normal local privilege escalation, with no VM or sandbox boundary crossed.\nC:H - exit_itimers() frees the k_itimer while its cpu_timer node is still linked in the task\u0027s posix_cputimers rbtree. The freed slab object can be reclaimed with attacker-sprayed data, giving a use-after-free that can be turned into kernel memory disclosure.\nI:H - When release_task() reaps the task, posix_cpu_timers_exit() -\u003e cleanup_timerqueue() -\u003e timerqueue_del() calls rb_erase on the freed node and rewrites rbtree pointers in reclaimed memory. That is a use-after-free write which can be used for privilege escalation.\nA:H - The rbtree erase on freed memory corrupts kernel data and can oops or panic the kernel. Any unprivileged user can repeat it at will."
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "providerMetadata": {
        "dateUpdated": "2026-10-07T06:49:47.661Z",
        "orgId": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
        "shortName": "Linux"
      },
      "references": [
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          "url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f1977cea3e85cd8ab55fb337d3e1725fe61d1ce"
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          "url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d9ae467e617ca29b825493a362bf0d75ad5f4ac3"
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        {
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        },
        {
          "url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/acb03d3881818581052924a9bbbe92b8741ed448"
        }
      ],
      "title": "exec: Cleanup POSIX timers right after de_thread()",
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  "cveMetadata": {
    "assignerOrgId": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
    "assignerShortName": "Linux",
    "cveId": "CVE-2026-98260",
    "datePublished": "2026-10-06T08:45:24.711Z",
    "dateReserved": "2026-09-25T10:25:14.332Z",
    "dateUpdated": "2026-10-07T06:49:47.661Z",
    "state": "PUBLISHED"
  },
  "dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
  "dataVersion": "5.2",
  "vulnerability-lookup:meta": {
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      "date": "2026-10-11",
      "epss": "0.00134",
      "percentile": "0.02526"
    },
    "nvd": {
      "cve": {
        "affected": [
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                    "versionType": "original_commit_for_fix"
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            ],
            "source": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67"
          }
        ],
        "cveTags": [],
        "descriptions": [
          {
            "lang": "en",
            "value": "In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:\n\nexec: Cleanup POSIX timers right after de_thread()\n\nA per-thread CPU timer holds a reference to the PID of the thread it is\nattached to and, while it is armed, its node is queued in that thread\u0027s\nposix_cputimers. The task is looked up by that PID.\n\nWhen a non-leader thread exec()s, de_thread() changes which task owns\nthat PID. pid_task(timer-\u003eit.cpu.pid, PIDTYPE_PID) then returns NULL,\nbut the node is still queued on tsk, which is alive. timer_lock_sighand()\ntakes a failed lookup to mean that the node is already dequeued, so it\nhas nothing to undo.\n\nbegin_new_exec() calls posix_cpu_timers_exit(me) right after\nexec_task_namespaces() and that removes the leftover node, so the state\nnormally stays invisible. But bprm-\u003epoint_of_no_return is set before\nde_thread(), so if unshare_files(), set_mm_exe_file(), exec_mmap() or\nexec_task_namespaces() fails, the task dies before it gets there.\nexit_itimers() then frees the k_itimer while its node is still queued,\nand reaping tsk later erases that freed node from the rbtree.\n\nIn short:\n\n      the non-leader thread B           the parent\n\n  timer_create(CLOCK_THREAD_CPUTIME_ID)\n  timer_settime()\n    arm_timer()            // the node is queued on B\n  execve()\n    de_thread(B)\n      exchange_tids(B, leader)  // B\u0027s PID now belongs to the leader\n      release_task(leader)\n        __exit_signal(leader)\n          posix_cpu_timers_exit(leader)  // cleans leader\u0027s queue, not B\u0027s\n          __unhash_process(leader)  // that PID has no task anymore\n    exec_mmap()\n      mmap_read_lock_killable(old_mm)\n                                kill(B, SIGKILL)\n      // -EINTR\n  get_signal()\n    do_exit()\n      exit_itimers()\n        posix_timer_delete()\n          posix_cpu_timer_del()\n        posix_timer_unhash_and_free()  // freed while still queued\n                                wait4()\n                                  release_task(B)\n                                    posix_cpu_timers_exit(B)\n                                      cleanup_timerqueue()\n                                        timerqueue_del()  // use-after-free\n\nMove the POSIX timer cleanup right after de_thread() before any of the\nlater failure conditions brings the task into do_exit().\n\n[ tglx: Move the cleanup right after de_thread() ]"
          }
        ],
        "id": "CVE-2026-98260",
        "lastModified": "2026-10-07T07:17:07.260",
        "metrics": {
          "cvssMetricV31": [
            {
              "cvssData": {
                "attackComplexity": "LOW",
                "attackVector": "LOCAL",
                "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
                "baseScore": 7.8,
                "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
                "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
                "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
                "privilegesRequired": "LOW",
                "scope": "UNCHANGED",
                "userInteraction": "NONE",
                "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
                "version": "3.1"
              },
              "exploitabilityScore": 1.8,
              "impactScore": 5.9,
              "source": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
              "type": "Secondary"
            }
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        "published": "2026-10-06T09:18:15.040",
        "references": [
          {
            "source": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
            "url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f1977cea3e85cd8ab55fb337d3e1725fe61d1ce"
          },
          {
            "source": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
            "url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75aa08b93c65766040f9ca99f41ac85ad22596b6"
          },
          {
            "source": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
            "url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/acb03d3881818581052924a9bbbe92b8741ed448"
          },
          {
            "source": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
            "url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d602877baf36c43c788a5f472c977e0be414029f"
          },
          {
            "source": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
            "url": "https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d9ae467e617ca29b825493a362bf0d75ad5f4ac3"
          }
        ],
        "sourceIdentifier": "416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67",
        "vulnStatus": "Received"
      }
    },
    "redhat_vex": {
      "aggregate_severity": "Moderate",
      "current_release_date": "2026-10-10T19:04:34+00:00",
      "cve": "CVE-2026-98260",
      "id": "CVE-2026-98260",
      "initial_release_date": "2026-10-06T00:00:00+00:00",
      "product_status:known_affected": "200",
      "product_status:known_not_affected": "77",
      "source": "Red Hat CSAF VEX",
      "status": "final",
      "title": "kernel: exec: Cleanup POSIX timers right after de_thread()",
      "url": "https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-98260.json",
      "version": "3"
    },
    "suse_vex": {
      "aggregate_severity": "moderate",
      "current_release_date": "2026-10-07T16:28:17Z",
      "cve": "CVE-2026-98260",
      "id": "CVE-2026-98260",
      "initial_release_date": "2026-10-07T16:28:17Z",
      "product_status:known_affected": "341",
      "product_status:known_not_affected": "6",
      "source": "SUSE CSAF VEX",
      "status": "interim",
      "title": "SUSE CVE CVE-2026-98260",
      "url": "https://ftp.suse.com/pub/projects/security/csaf-vex/cve-2026-98260.json",
      "version": "2"
    }
  }
}



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Sightings

Author Source Type Date Other

Nomenclature

  • Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
  • Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
  • Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
  • Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
  • Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Vulnerability timeline

Sightings and recorded dates, grouped by day · UTC

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    Related by attack behaviour

    Vulnerabilities whose description is nearest to this one in the vector space of the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-biencoder model. This is a similarity search over the bi-encoder space (plain cosine), not a classification, and it has no measured accuracy.