CVE-2026-53373: mm/vma: do not try to unmap a VMA if mmap_prepare() invoked from mmap()

Published Jul 19, 2026
·
Updated

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

mm/vma: do not try to unmap a VMA if mmapprepare() invoked from mmap()

The mmapprepare hook functionality includes the ability to invoke mmapprepare() from the mmap() hook of existing 'stacked' drivers, that is ones which are capable of calling the mmap hooks of other drivers/file systems (e.g. overlayfs, shm).

As part of the mmapprepare action functionality, we deal with errors by unmapping the VMA should one arise. This works in the usual mmapprepare case, as we invoke this action at the last moment, when the VMA is established in the maple tree.

However, the mmap() hook passes a not-fully-established VMA pointer to the caller (which is the motivation behind the mmapprepare() work), which is detached.

So attempting to unmap a VMA in this state will be problematic, with the most obvious symptom being a warning in vmamarkdetached(), because the VMA is already detached.

It's also unncessary - the mmap() handler will clean up the VMA on error.

So to fix this issue, this patch propagates whether or not an mmap action is being completed via the compatibility layer or directly.

If the former, then we do not attempt VMA cleanup, if the latter, then we do.

This patch also updates the userland VMA tests to reflect the change.

Affected Software

3 affected components
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<7.0.9
Linux Linux kernel=7.1-rc1

Event History

Jul 19, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:01 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:01 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:16 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-53373?

The severity of CVE-2026-53373 is rated as high with a CVSS score of 7.8.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-53373?

To fix CVE-2026-53373, users should update to the latest patched version of the Linux kernel.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-53373?

CVE-2026-53373 affects systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel that utilize mmap_prepare functionality.

4

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2026-53373?

Exploiting CVE-2026-53373 could lead to unauthorized access and modifications of memory, potentially compromising system integrity.

5

Is there a workaround for CVE-2026-53373?

Currently, the most effective way to mitigate CVE-2026-53373 is by applying the security patch from the Linux kernel maintainers.

Contact

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