CVE-2026-74512
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: audit: fix potential use-after-free in audit_del_rule() `audit_del_rule()` destroys `e->rule.exe` via `audit_remove_mark_rule()` before unlinking the rule from RCU-visible filter lists and waiting for a grace period. Concurrent readers in `audit_filter()` and `audit_filter_rules()` still dereference `e->rule.exe`, while the fsnotify mark can be freed on an independent lifetime path. This creates a use-after-free window during rule deletion. Fix this by unlinking the rule from the RCU-visible lists and invoking `synchronize_rcu()` before calling `audit_remove_mark_rule()` (and other rule removal helpers). This ensures that all existing RCU readers have exited the critical section before any underlying resources are destroyed.
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
4.3
and later are affected. Fixed in
6.6.151,
6.12.103,
6.18.44,
7.1.8,
7.2-rc6
and their respective stable series.
References
5 totalFrequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-74512?
CVE-2026-74512 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 4.3 onward and has been patched in 6.6.151, 6.12.103, 6.18.44 and others. CVE-2026-74512 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-2026-74512?
Yes. CVE-2026-74512 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.6.151, 6.12.103, 6.18.44 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 4.3 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2026-74512 actively exploited?
No. CVE-2026-74512 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.