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CVE-2026-46242

HIGH 7.8 ALL-YEARS

Published 2026-05-30 · Last modified 2026-10-19 · Linux · NVD: Modified

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: eventpoll: fix ep_remove struct eventpoll / struct file UAF ep_remove() (via ep_remove_file()) cleared file->f_ep under file->f_lock but then kept using @file inside the critical section (is_file_epoll(), hlist_del_rcu() through the head, spin_unlock). A concurrent __fput() taking the eventpoll_release() fastpath in that window observed the transient NULL, skipped eventpoll_release_file() and ran to f_op->release / file_free(). For the epoll-watches-epoll case, f_op->release is ep_eventpoll_release() -> ep_clear_and_put() -> ep_free(), which kfree()s the watched struct eventpoll. Its embedded ->refs hlist_head is exactly where epi->fllink.pprev points, so the subsequent hlist_del_rcu()'s "*pprev = next" scribbles into freed kmalloc-192 memory. In addition, struct file is SLAB_TYPESAFE_BY_RCU, so the slot backing @file could be recycled by alloc_empty_file() -- reinitializing f_lock and f_ep -- while ep_remove() is still nominally inside that lock. The upshot is an attacker-controllable kmem_cache_free() against the wrong slab cache. Pin @file via epi_fget() at the top of ep_remove() and gate the critical section on the pin succeeding. With the pin held @file cannot reach refcount zero, which holds __fput() off and transitively keeps the watched struct eventpoll alive across the hlist_del_rcu() and the f_lock use, closing both UAFs. If the pin fails @file has already reached refcount zero and its __fput(

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 7.8), but no confirmed exploitation. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

4.4%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 91st percentile

○ In CISA KEV○ Catalogued PoC◆ SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no

Impact if exploited

7.8CVSS 3.1 · HIGH · CNA

  • ConfidentialityHigh
  • IntegrityHigh
  • AvailabilityHigh

What an attacker needs

  • ⚠Access: Requires local access to the host
  • ⚠Privileges: Requires a low-privilege account
  • ✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
  • ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept

No public PoC is currently catalogued.

Search for new PoCs

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Tracked sources are checked weekly for the full archive, including PoCs published after the original disclosure. A later release appears after a tracked source lists it and a refresh succeeds.

Affected

Vendors Linux

Products Linux Linux Kernel

Weakness (CWE)

  • CWE-416: Use After Free

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References and research data (JSON)

Vendor product assessments

Showing 32 of 1769 vendor product statements; 1737 omitted. Read the full vendor advisory.

  • kernel-0:6.12.0-231.15.el10nv.aarch64 as a component of NVIDIA for RHEL 10 · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=aarch64

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • rhcos-s390x-4.21.9.6.202607151836-0 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.21 · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:generic/redhat/[email protected]?arch=s390x

    • vendor fix: For OpenShift Container Platform 4.21 see the following documentation, which will be updated shortly for this release, for important instructions on how to upgrade your cluster and fully apply this asynchronous errata update: https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/openshift_container_platform/4.21/html/release_notes/ You may download the oc tool and use it to inspect release image metadata for x86_64, s390x, ppc64le, and aarch64 architectures. The image digests may be found at https://quay.io/repository/openshift-release-dev/ocp-release?tab=tags. The sha values for the release are as follows: (For x86_64 architecture) The image digest is sha256:116cabb556737a4a36e17f1761c718e70bccd66c10d722f9b0a678074061735b (For s390x architecture) The image digest is sha256:104953e69b5d7be2ce775701775d21843404f4b649d9825ab4794098003146d8 (For ppc64le architecture) The image digest is sha256:a1b23175ec864db1abc82ff8417f1abca9d60378e0f31066c1875b41755d83d8 (For aarch64 architecture) The image digest is sha256:d83a9065f6052d50bd4fd9979db76f3bed822bcf0b53954f07018e3fe443b409 All OpenShift Container Platform 4.21 users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages and images when they are available in the appropriate release channel. To check for available updates, use the OpenShift CLI (oc) or web console. Instructions for upgrading a cluster are available at https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/openshift_container_platform/4.21/html-single/updating_clusters/index#updating-cluster-cli. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-devel-0:6.12.0-211.31.1.el10_2.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_2?arch=x86_64

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • python3-perf-debuginfo-0:5.14.0-427.137.1.el9_4.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.4) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_4?arch=ppc64le

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-debuginfo-common-ppc64le-0:5.14.0-687.23.1.el9_8.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_8?arch=ppc64le

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-modules-0:6.12.0-55.88.1.el10_0.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 10.0) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_0?arch=x86_64

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-modules-core-0:6.12.0-211.31.1.el10_2.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 10) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_2?arch=x86_64

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-debuginfo-0:5.14.0-427.137.1.el9_4.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v.9.4) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_4?arch=ppc64le

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-core-0:5.14.0-570.127.1.el9_6.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_6?arch=ppc64le

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • libperf-debuginfo-0:5.14.0-570.127.1.el9_6.s390x as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.6) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_6?arch=s390x

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • libperf-debuginfo-0:5.14.0-687.23.1.el9_8.ppc64le as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_8?arch=ppc64le

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-debuginfo-common-s390x-0:5.14.0-570.127.1.el9_6.s390x as a component of Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_6?arch=s390x

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-rt-debug-modules-extra-0:6.12.0-211.31.1.el10_2.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 10) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_2?arch=x86_64

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-rt-debug-devel-0:6.12.0-55.88.1.el10_0.aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v. 10.0) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_0?arch=aarch64

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-debuginfo-0:5.14.0-570.127.1.el9_6.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.6) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_6?arch=x86_64

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • python3-perf-debuginfo-0:5.14.0-687.23.1.el9_8.x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]_8?arch=x86_64

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258 The system must be rebooted for this update to take effect. Vendor guidance
    • workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-firmware as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-firmware

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-headers as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-headers

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-rt-doc as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-rt-doc

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-tools-libs as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-tools-libs

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-abi-whitelists as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-abi-whitelists

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-debug-modules-extra as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-debug-modules-extra

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-modules-internal as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-modules-internal

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-rt-debug-modules as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-rt-debug-modules

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-rt-selftests-internal as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-rt-selftests-internal

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-zfcpdump-core as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-zfcpdump-core

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-rt as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-rt

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-rt-debug-modules as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-rt-debug-modules

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • kernel-rt-modules as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:rpm/redhat/kernel-rt-modules

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00
  • openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:oci/ose-rhel-coreos-8?repository_url=registry.redhat.io/openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-46242 · Updated 2026-10-14T21:49:48+00:00

Unverified PoC candidates

Catalogue matches for further research. These repositories have not been validated as working exploits.

5 candidates

Known Affected Software Configurations

VendorProductVersion range
LinuxLinux Kernel≥ 5.15.209 and < 5.16
LinuxLinux Kernel≥ 6.1.175 and < 6.2
LinuxLinux Kernel≥ 6.4 and < 6.18.33
LinuxLinux Kernel≥ 6.19 and < 7.0.10

All CVSS metrics

  • HIGH 7.8 v3.1 · CNA Primary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
  • HIGH 7.8 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References

Patches & mitigations

Advisories

Technical & other

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · All sources and attribution · EPSS