CVE-2026-53394: nfsd: avoid leaking pre-allocated openowner on unconfirmed retry race
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nfsd: avoid leaking pre-allocated openowner on unconfirmed retry race
When findorallocopenstateowner() encounters an unconfirmed owner, it calls releaseopenowner() and sets oo = NULL. Control then falls through past the if (oo) guard -- which would have freed any pre-allocated new -- and unconditionally executes new = allocstateowner(...). If new was already allocated on a prior iteration, the pointer is silently overwritten and the previous allocation (slab object + owner name buffer) is leaked.
This requires a race: two NFSv4.0 OPEN threads with the same owner string, where a concurrent thread inserts a new unconfirmed owner into the hash between retry iterations. The window is narrow but repeatable under adversarial conditions.
Fix by adding goto retry after oo = NULL so the already-allocated new is reused on the next iteration rather than overwritten.
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-53394?
The severity of CVE-2026-53394 is rated as high with a score of 7.5.
How do I fix CVE-2026-53394?
To fix CVE-2026-53394, apply the available patch for the Linux kernel.
What impact does CVE-2026-53394 have on the Linux kernel?
CVE-2026-53394 can cause a leak of pre-allocated openowner in the NFS server during unconfirmed retry races.
Is there a known exploit for CVE-2026-53394?
There are currently no publicly known exploits for CVE-2026-53394.
When was CVE-2026-53394 published?
CVE-2026-53394 was published on July 19, 2026.