CVE-2019-15794

Reference counting error in overlayfs/shiftfs error path when used in conjuction with aufs

MEDIUM
6.7
CVSS Score
Published: April 23, 2020 at 11:55 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 02:21 AM UTC
3 products affected across 3 vendorsLinux KernelUbuntu LinuxLinux kernel

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Severity
MEDIUM6.7
Exploit prediction
EPSS 1%

Description

Overlayfs in the Linux kernel and shiftfs, a non-upstream patch to the Linux kernel included in the Ubuntu 5.0 and 5.3 kernel series, both replace vma->vm_file in their mmap handlers. On error the original value is not restored, and the reference is put for the file to which vm_file points. On upstream kernels this is not an issue, as no callers dereference vm_file following after call_mmap() returns an error. However, the aufs patchs change mmap_region() to replace the fput() using a local variable with vma_fput(), which will fput() vm_file, leading to a refcount underflow.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

5.0 kernel ≤ v < 5.0.0-37.405.3 kernel ≤ v < 5.3.0-24.265.0 kernel5.3 kernel
Affected range stops below 5.0.0-37.40, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 5.3.0-24.26, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

CVSS

Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
HIGH
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-672

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