CVE-2026-89791

perf: Fix use-after-free when perf mmap() revival races with the last munmap()

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: September 16, 2026 at 08:48 AM UTC
Updated: October 19, 2026 at 09:18 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorLinux Kernel

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Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.2%

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf: Fix use-after-free when perf mmap() revival races with the last munmap() perf_mmap_close() drops rb->mmap_count *without* holding event->mmap_mutex (the refcount_dec_and_test() right before the refcount_dec_and_mutex_lock() of event->mmap_count). A concurrent perf_mmap_rb() can slot its entire "revival" path into that window (perf_mmap holds event->mmap_mutex for its whole duration, including rb_alloc): munmap side (perf_mmap_close) mmap side (perf_mmap_rb) ----------------------------------- -------------------------------- rb->mmap_count 1 -> 0 (no lock) (holds event->mmap_mutex) inc_not_zero(rb->mmap_count) fails ring_buffer_attach(event, NULL) rb_alloc() + attach new rb refcount_set(&event->mmap_count, 1) lock; event->mmap_count 1 -> 0 ring_buffer_attach(event, NULL) ring_buffer_put() -> frees the *new* rb The revival's refcount_set(&event->mmap_count, 1) is an invisible 1 -> 1 write: the close frees the just-revived buffer although the other process still has it mapped -- a page-level use-after-free allowing local privilege escalation to root by any unprivileged user (default kernel.perf_event_paranoid=2). Swap the order of the two counter updates: event->mmap_count is dropped first via refcount_dec_and_mutex_lock(), so its 1 -> 0 transition and the ring_buffer_attach() stay serialized with perf_mmap(). rb->mmap_count == 0 then implies every event using the buffer is detached already, so the result of the rb->mmap_count drop can gate the remaining teardown directly and detach_rest is no longer needed. An earlier fix for this race from Kyle Zeng and David Lee takes event->mmap_mutex around both counter updates [0]; here the not-last close stays lockless.

Affected

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

59741451b49ce9964a9758c19d6f7df2a1255c756.18
Vendor states this is fixed in 0c739f54f1c77f3a4643160cd2e031b6c2f2aab6 (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 58a8108bc73de0740d5b88150465d6690ea5f85f (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 929cb3b9dc818dd9fa89d510d4ff2b255e42badd (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.18 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.18.52 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 7.2.5 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 7.3 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 7.3-rc2 (unaffected)

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet, and no fixed version or vendor advisory is recorded against it.

CVSS

7.8HIGHLinux
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusRECEIVED

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