Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10: Exposure of File Descriptor to Unintended Control Sphere
CVE-2026-16526 is a high-severity exposure of file descriptor to unintended control sphere vulnerability in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 from Red Hat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.57% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (redhat.com).
Official description
A flaw in the PCP linux_sockets module exposes an unsecured internal connection. An attacker with initial code execution can exploit this to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary commands as root.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposure of File Descriptor to Unintended Control Sphere
A process does not close sensitive file descriptors before invoking a child process, which allows the child to perform unauthorized I/O operations using those descriptors.
More Exposure of File Descriptor to Unintended Control Sphere vulnerabilities (CWE-403)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:55560
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:55617
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:55740
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:72272
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:72273
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:72593
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:72594
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:73767
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:74612
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:74613
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-16526
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2506026
Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.9 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Exposure of File Descriptor to Unintended Control Sphere vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
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