CVE-2026-45837

bpf: Fix use-after-free in arena_vm_close on fork

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: May 27, 2026 at 09:24 AM UTC
Updated: June 27, 2026 at 11:41 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorLinux Kernel

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Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.1%

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.

Affected

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

6.13 ≤ v < 6.18.306.19 ≤ v < 7.0.76.9 ≤ v < 6.12.886.9 ≤ v < 6.18.306.9 ≤ v < 7.0.76.9 ≤ v < 7.1317460317a02a1af512697e6e964298dedd8a1636.9
Vendor states this is fixed in 201128fcc7b213d27ab77bc4e89488b41796480f (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 4fddde2a732de60bb97e3307d4eb69ac5f1d2b74 (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 723b9fa930cc277c15ce6b9ec9feec828cfac9d7 (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in d18099f19e53250f8ad2801498b88cec29d9107a (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.12.88 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.18.30 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.9 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 7.0.7 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 7.1 (unaffected)

CVSS

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

Quick Info

StatusANALYZED
CWE
CWE-416

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