CVE-2026-64426

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: io_uring/nop: fix file reference leak with IOSQE_FIXED_FILE NOP file-acquisition support choses between a fixed (registered) file and a normal fget()'d file based on its own IORING_NOP_FIXED_FILE flag in sqe->nop_flags. However, a request's REQ_F_FIXED_FILE is set independently from the generic IOSQE_FIXED_FILE sqe flag during request init, before the issue handler runs. If a NOP is submitted with IOSQE_FIXED_FILE set (so REQ_F_FIXED_FILE is set) but without IORING_NOP_FIXED_FILE, io_nop() takes the normal path and grabs a real reference via io_file_get_normal(). On completion, io_put_file() only drops the reference when REQ_F_FIXED_FILE is clear, so the fget()'d file is never released and leaks: BUG: memory leak unreferenced object 0xffff88800f42c240 (size 176): kmem_cache_alloc_noprof+0x358/0x440 alloc_empty_file+0x57/0x180 path_openat+0x44/0x1e50 do_file_open+0x121/0x200 do_sys_openat2+0xa7/0x150 __x64_sys_openat+0x82/0xf0 Decide between fixed and normal file acquisition from REQ_F_FIXED_FILE, the same way io_assign_file() does for every other opcode, and fold IORING_NOP_FIXED_FILE into REQ_F_FIXED_FILE at prep time.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-07-25
Last modified 2026-07-25
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.13 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.39, 7.1.4, 7.2-rc1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.13
Fixed in
✓ 6.18.39 6.18.x ✓ 7.1.4 7.1.x ✓ 7.2-rc1

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-64426?

    CVE-2026-64426 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.13 onward and has been patched in 6.18.39, 7.1.4 and 7.2-rc1. CVE-2026-64426 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-64426?

    Yes. CVE-2026-64426 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.39, 7.1.4 and 7.2-rc1. If you are running Linux kernel 6.13 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-64426 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-64426 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.