CVE-2026-89788

Critical

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: fix tree connection use-after-free in smb2_tree_connect() ksmbd_tree_conn_connect() publishes a new tree connection in sess->tree_conns with a single reference and returns its pointer to smb2_tree_connect(). The handler continues to initialize the object and build the response after publication. A concurrent session logoff can erase the connection and drop that reference, freeing the object while the handler still uses it. BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in smb2_tree_connect+0xe3d/0xf90 smb2_tree_connect (fs/smb/server/smb2pdu.c:2872) handle_ksmbd_work process_one_work worker_thread kthread After xa_store() succeeds, take a second reference before releasing tree_conns_lock. The original reference belongs to the xarray entry and the second belongs to the creating smb2_tree_connect() handler. Keep the references balanced in every path: - On normal exit or an error after publication, smb2_tree_connect() drops its creator reference. Error cleanup also calls ksmbd_tree_conn_disconnect(), which drops the xarray reference only if it removes the exact entry. - SMB2 TREE_DISCONNECT uses the same helper to remove the entry and drop its xarray reference. The request's existing lookup reference remains owned by the request and is released by the existing cleanup. - Session LOGOFF removes each entry and drops its xarray reference. If it wins the race, later cleanup sees that the entry is gone and does not drop that reference again. To enforce this ownership, claim the disconnected state and erase the exact entry atomically under tree_conns_lock. This guarantees one drop for the xarray reference and one drop by each in-flight user, regardless of which teardown path wins. If logoff removes the entry before initialization completes, fail the connect instead of marking the detached object TREE_CONNECTED.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-09-16
Last modified 2026-09-16
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

9.8

out of 10
Critical
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.15.145, 6.1.71, 6.6 and later are affected. Fixed in 7.2.6, 7.3-rc2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.15.145 ≥ 6.1.71 ≥ 6.6
Fixed in
✓ 7.2.6 7.2.x ✓ 7.3-rc2

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-89788?

    CVE-2026-89788 is a Critical severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.15.145 onward and has been patched in 7.2.6 and 7.3-rc2. CVE-2026-89788 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-89788?

    CVE-2026-89788 has a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10, rated Critical severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-89788?

    Yes. CVE-2026-89788 has been patched. Fixed versions include 7.2.6 and 7.3-rc2. If you are running Linux kernel 5.15.145 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-89788 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-89788 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.