Use-After-Free in Linux kernel (CVE-2026-22980)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2026-22980). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nfsd: provide locking for v4_end_grace
Writing to v4_end_grace can race with server shutdown and result in
memory being accessed after it was freed - reclaim_str_hashtbl in
particularly.
We cannot hold nfsd_mutex across the nfsd4_end_grace() call as that is
held while client_tracking_op->init() is called and that can wait for
an upcall to nfsdcltrack which can write to v4_end_grace, resulting in a
deadlock.
nfsd4_end_grace() is also called by the landromat work queue and this
doesn't require locking as server shutdown will stop the work and wait
for it before freeing anything that nfsd4_end_grace() might access.
However, we must be sure that writing to v4_end_grace doesn't restart
the work item after shutdown has already waited for it. For this we
add a new flag protected with nn->client_lock. It is set only while it
is safe to make client tracking calls, and v4_end_grace only schedules
work while the flag is set with the spinlock held.
So this patch adds a nfsd_net field "client_tracking_active" which is
set as described. Another field "grace_end_forced", is set when
v4_end_grace is written. After this is set, and providing
client_tracking_active is set, the laundromat is scheduled.
This "grace_end_forced" field bypasses other checks for whether the
grace period has finished.
This resolves a race which can result in use-after-free.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD GitHub Advisory
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-22980 has been found in Linux kernel.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 7.8/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2026-22980" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2026-22980 (Linux kernel) — CWE-416 / CVSS v3 7.8
Attack vector: local / no user interaction
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
Use-after-free (CWE-416) exists in Linux kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで Linux kernel を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- BellSoft Alpaquita BELL-CVE-2026-22980 linux-lts Fixed in: 6.1.161-r0
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2026-22980 linux Fixed in: 5.10.249-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2026-22980 linux-aws
References
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- advisory github.com
- package git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web cert-portal.siemens.com
- web github.com
- web cert-portal.siemens.com