Use-After-Free in Linux kernel (CVE-2026-64071)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2026-64071). 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:
nvme-pci: fix use-after-free in nvme_free_host_mem()
nvme_free_host_mem() frees dev->hmb_sgt via dma_free_noncontiguous()
but never clears the pointer afterward. This leads to a use-after-free
if nvme_free_host_mem() is called twice in the same error path.
This can happen during nvme_probe() when nvme_setup_host_mem() succeeds
in allocating the HMB (setting dev->hmb_sgt) but nvme_set_host_mem()
fails with an I/O error:
nvme_setup_host_mem()
nvme_alloc_host_mem_single() -> sets dev->hmb_sgt
nvme_set_host_mem() -> fails with -EIO
nvme_free_host_mem() -> frees hmb_sgt, but does NOT NULL it
return error
nvme_probe() error path:
nvme_free_host_mem() -> dev->hmb_sgt is stale, use-after-free
The second call dereferences the freed sgt, causing a NULL pointer
dereference in iommu_dma_free_noncontiguous() when it accesses
sgt->sgl->dma_address (the backing memory has been freed and zeroed).
This is reproducible on Thunderbolt-attached NVMe devices (e.g., OWC
Envoy Express behind a Dell WD22TB4 dock) where the device intermittently
returns I/O errors during HMB setup due to PCIe link instability.
BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000010
RIP: 0010:iommu_dma_free_noncontiguous+0x22/0x80
Call Trace:
dma_free_noncontiguous+0x3b/0x130
nvme_free_host_mem+0x30/0xf0 [nvme]
nvme_probe.cold+0xcc/0x275 [nvme]
local_pci_probe+0x43…
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-2026-64071 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-2026-64071" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2026-64071 (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
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2026-64071 linux Fixed in: 7.0.12-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2026-64071 linux-hwe-edge
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 github.com