CVE-2026-45837 Details
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix use-after-free in arena_vm_close on fork arena_vm_open() only bumps vml->mmap_count but never registers the child VMA in arena->vma_list. The vml->vma always points at the parent VMA, so after parent munmap the pointer dangles. If the child then calls bpf_arena_free_pages(), zap_pages() reads the stale vml->vma triggering use-after-free. Fix this by preventing the arena VMA from being inherited across fork with VM_DONTCOPY, and preventing VMA splits via the may_split callback. Also reject mremap with a .mremap callback returning -EINVAL. A same-size mremap(MREMAP_FIXED) on the full arena VMA reaches copy_vma() through the following path: check_prep_vma() - returns 0 early: new_len == old_len skips VM_DONTEXPAND check prep_move_vma() - vm_start == old_addr and vm_end == old_addr + old_len so may_split is never called move_vma() copy_vma_and_data() copy_vma() vm_area_dup() - copies vm_private_data (vml pointer) vm_ops->open() - bumps vml->mmap_count vm_ops->mremap() - returns -EINVAL, rollback unmaps new VMA The refcount ensures the rollback's arena_vm_close does not free the vml shared with the original VMA.
A use-after-free vulnerability has been identified in the Linux kernel's BPF arena management, specifically within the VMA (Virtual Memory Area) handling. This issue arises because the child VMA created during a fork operation is not properly registered, leading to a dangling pointer after the parent VMA is unmapped. If the child process then attempts to free arena pages, it can trigger a use-after-free condition by accessing the stale VMA pointer. The vulnerability affects several versions of the Linux kernel.
Users can upgrade to the latest stable version of the Linux kernel, where this vulnerability has been addressed.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
No CVSS 4.0 data is available for this CVE.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
No SSVC data is available for this CVE.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/201128fcc7b213d27ab77bc4e89488b41796480f | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4fddde2a732de60bb97e3307d4eb69ac5f1d2b74 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/723b9fa930cc277c15ce6b9ec9feec828cfac9d7 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d18099f19e53250f8ad2801498b88cec29d9107a | kernel.org | Patch |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-416 | Use After Free | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| linux linux kernel | >= 6.9, < 6.12.88 >= 6.13, < 6.18.30 >= 6.19, < 7.0.7 |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
3 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2026 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| May 27, 2026 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |