Linux: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2026-64140 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 8eab081627b67216d1c8f638b68289b500dc9a6b, 904901561e61a2b559070b20c74a8c95491f30aa as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.49% 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
- Update Linux to 8eab081627b67216d1c8f638b68289b500dc9a6b or 904901561e61a2b559070b20c74a8c95491f30aa, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 7.0.11 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | b38f99c1217ae04753340f0fdcd8f35bf56841dc up to, but not including, 8eab081627b67216d1c8f638b68289b500dc9a6b; b38f99c1217ae04753340f0fdcd8f35bf56841dc up to, but not including, 904901561e61a2b559070b20c74a8c95491f30aa; 7.0 | 8eab081627b67216d1c8f638b68289b500dc9a6b, 904901561e61a2b559070b20c74a8c95491f30aa |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 7.0 up to, but not including, 7.0.11; 7.1 | 7.0.11 |
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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: fix null pointer dereference in proc_show_files() When a SMB2 client opens a file with a durable v2 handle and then issues SMB2 SESSION_LOGOFF, session_fd_check() clears fp->tcon = NULL on the reconnectable file pointer but leaves the fp registered in global_ft.idr until the durable scavenger fires (up to fp->durable_timeout seconds later). During that window any read of /proc/fs/ksmbd/files (mode 0400) panics the kernel because proc_show_files() walks global_ft.idr and unconditionally dereferences fp->tcon->id with no NULL guard. Reproducer requires only a successful SMB2 SESSION_SETUP and a share configured with 'durable handles = yes'. KASAN report on mainline 70390501d194: general protection fault, probably for non-canonical address 0xdffffc0000000000: 0000 [#1] SMP KASAN PTI KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000000-0x0000000000000007] RIP: 0010:proc_show_files+0x118/0x740 Call Trace: proc_show_files+0x118/0x740 seq_read_iter+0x4ef/0xe10 proc_reg_read_iter+0x1b7/0x280 ... Guard the dereference. A durable-disconnected fp legitimately has no tcon; report its tree id as 0 rather than oopsing.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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