CVE-2026-74709

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xsk: clear metadata pointer when no timestamp is requested User space can change metadata flags after request processing. Rereading them during completion can therefore make the kernel write a timestamp that was not requested when the packet was submitted. Clear the metadata pointer during request processing unless timestamp completion is requested. Completion handling can then use the pointer itself instead of rereading the flags. On the mlx5 multi-packet WQE path metadata is evaluated per batch: xsk_tx_metadata_request() runs only for the descriptor that starts a session, just like the checksum offload that is applied once through the shared WQE. Only that descriptor's pointer is reset, so completion handling can record a timestamp for the other descriptors of the session regardless of their own XDP_TXMD_FLAGS_TIMESTAMP bit. The write stays inside the metadata area; the single-WQE, other zero-copy, and generic paths reset the pointer per descriptor and are unaffected.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-08-22
Last modified 2026-08-22
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.14.2, 6.15 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.18.45, 7.1.9, 7.2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.14.2 ≥ 6.15
Fixed in
✓ 6.18.45 6.18.x ✓ 7.1.9 7.1.x ✓ 7.2

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-74709?

    CVE-2026-74709 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.14.2 onward and has been patched in 6.18.45, 7.1.9 and 7.2. CVE-2026-74709 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-74709?

    Yes. CVE-2026-74709 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.18.45, 7.1.9 and 7.2. If you are running Linux kernel 6.14.2 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-74709 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-74709 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.