CVE-2026-74487
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: binfmt_misc: restore write access when removing an entry Registering an entry with the MISC_FMT_OPEN_FILE flag opens the interpreter via open_exec() which denies write access to it for as long as the entry exists. Removing the entry closes the interpreter file via filp_close() but never restores write access, leaving the inode's i_writecount permanently negative. Opening the interpreter for writing keeps failing with ETXTBSY long after the entry is gone until the inode is evicted from the inode cache. Commit 90f601b497d7 ("binfmt_misc: restore write access before closing files opened by open_exec()") fixed the same imbalance in the error path of bm_register_write() but the actual removal path has been leaking the write denial since the introduction of the flag. Restore write access in put_binfmt_handler() before closing the interpreter file.
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
4.8
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.18.44,
7.1.8,
7.2-rc6
and their respective stable series.
References
3 totalFrequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-74487?
CVE-2026-74487 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 4.8 onward and has been patched in 6.18.44, 7.1.8 and 7.2-rc6. CVE-2026-74487 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-74487?
Yes. CVE-2026-74487 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.44, 7.1.8 and 7.2-rc6. If you are running Linux kernel 4.8 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2026-74487 actively exploited?
No. CVE-2026-74487 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.