CVE-2026-64581

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: fix sk_dst_cache double-free in xfrm_user_policy() xfrm_user_policy() clears the socket dst cache with __sk_dst_reset(), i.e. the non-atomic __sk_dst_set(sk, NULL): it reads sk_dst_cache with rcu_dereference_protected(), stores NULL and dst_release()s the old dst. That is only safe if no other thread modifies sk_dst_cache concurrently. For a connected UDP socket that does not hold: the transmit fast path (udp_sendmsg -> sk_dst_check -> sk_dst_reset) resets the cache locklessly with an atomic xchg(). A per-socket policy change racing a send can make both sides observe the same old dst and each dst_release() it, dropping the socket's single reference twice and freeing the xfrm_dst bundle while it is still referenced: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in dst_release Write of size 4 at addr ffff88801897b6c0 by task exploit/155 Call Trace: ... dst_release (... ./include/linux/rcuref.h:109) xfrm_user_policy (./include/net/sock.h:2239 ./include/net/sock.h:2256 net/xfrm/xfrm_state.c:3053) do_ip_setsockopt (net/ipv4/ip_sockglue.c:1347) ip_setsockopt (net/ipv4/ip_sockglue.c:1417) do_sock_setsockopt (net/socket.c:2368) __sys_setsockopt (net/socket.c:2393) __x64_sys_setsockopt (net/socket.c:2396) do_syscall_64 (arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94) entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe (arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:121) Reachable by an unprivileged user via a user+network namespace. Use the atomic sk_dst_reset() so the cache is cleared and released with a single xchg(): whichever side wins releases the dst once, the other sees NULL and does nothing. Behaviour is otherwise unchanged.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-08-05
Last modified 2026-08-05
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 3.16.52, 4.4.163, 3.18.101, 4.1.52, 4.4.123, 4.9.89, 4.14 and later are affected. Fixed in 7.1.6, 7.2-rc4 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 3.16.52 ≥ 4.4.163 ≥ 3.18.101 ≥ 4.1.52 ≥ 4.4.123 ≥ 4.9.89 ≥ 4.14
Fixed in
✓ 7.1.6 7.1.x ✓ 7.2-rc4

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-64581?

    CVE-2026-64581 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 3.16.52 onward and has been patched in 7.1.6 and 7.2-rc4. CVE-2026-64581 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-64581?

    Yes. CVE-2026-64581 has been patched. Fixed versions include 7.1.6 and 7.2-rc4. If you are running Linux kernel 3.16.52 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-64581 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-64581 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.