CVE-2026-23248: perf/core: Fix refcount bug and potential UAF in perf_mmap

Published Mar 18, 2026
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

perf/core: Fix refcount bug and potential UAF in perfmmap

Syzkaller reported a refcountt: addition on 0; use-after-free warning in perfmmap.

The issue is caused by a race condition between a failing mmap() setup and a concurrent mmap() on a dependent event (e.g., using output redirection).

In perfmmap(), the ringbuffer (rb) is allocated and assigned to event->rb with the mmapmutex held. The mutex is then released to perform maprange().

If maprange() fails, perfmmapclose() is called to clean up. However, since the mutex was dropped, another thread attaching to this event (via inherited events or output redirection) can acquire the mutex, observe the valid event->rb pointer, and attempt to increment its reference count. If the cleanup path has already dropped the reference count to zero, this results in a use-after-free or refcount saturation warning.

Fix this by extending the scope of mmapmutex to cover the maprange() call. This ensures that the ring buffer initialization and mapping (or cleanup on failure) happens atomically effectively, preventing other threads from accessing a half-initialized or dying ring buffer.

Affected Software

121 affected componentsFixes available
linux/kernel
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.126.1-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.126.1-1<6.6.129.1-1
6.6.129.1-1
Linux Linux kernel>=6.14<6.18.17
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<6.19.7
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc1
ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-azure*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*
ubuntu/linux-gcp*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*
ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*
ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*
ubuntu/linux-hwe*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*
ubuntu/linux-oem*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-gke*
ubuntu/linux-gke-5.15*
ubuntu/linux-gkeop*
ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.15*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-raspi2*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*
ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.17*
ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14*
ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17*
ubuntu/linux*
ubuntu/linux-aws*
ubuntu/linux-azure*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*
ubuntu/linux-gcp*
ubuntu/linux-oracle*
ubuntu/linux-raspi*
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.6.129.1-1
  2. Configuration

    Extend the scope of mmap_mutex to cover map_range(), so ring buffer initialization and mapping—or cleanup on failure—occur atomically.

    Linux kernel perf_mmap() mmap_mutex scope = Include the map_range() call

Event History

Mar 18, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:05 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:05 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via OSV·11:16 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Event
via OSV·11:16 AM
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:16 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Mar 19, 2026
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:03 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-23248?

CVE-2026-23248 has been classified with moderate severity due to the potential for a use-after-free condition in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-23248?

To fix CVE-2026-23248, you should apply the latest patches provided in the Linux kernel updates.

3

What are the main consequences of CVE-2026-23248?

The main consequences of CVE-2026-23248 include a potential denial of service or execution of arbitrary code due to the use-after-free vulnerability.

4

Which software versions are affected by CVE-2026-23248?

CVE-2026-23248 affects various versions of the Linux kernel where the perf_mmap functionality is utilized.

5

How can I determine if my system is vulnerable to CVE-2026-23248?

You can determine if your system is vulnerable to CVE-2026-23248 by checking for the presence of the specific kernel versions listed in the vulnerability announcements.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203