CVE-2026-64115: vsock/vmci: fix UAF when peer resets connection during handshake
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
vsock/vmci: fix UAF when peer resets connection during handshake
vmcitransportrecvconnectingserver() returned err = 0 for a peer RST in its default switch arm:
err = pkt->type == VMCITRANSPORTPACKETTYPERST ? 0 : -EINVAL;
That made vmcitransportrecvlisten() skip vsockremovepending(), leaving the pending socket on the listener's pendinglinks with skstate = TCPCLOSE while destroy: still dropped the explicit reference taken before scheduledelayedwork().
One second later vsockpendingwork() observed ispending=true and performed full cleanup: vsockremovepending() then the two trailing sockput(sk) calls -- the first reached refcount 0 and skfreed the socket, and the second wrote into the freed object:
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in refcountwarnsaturate Write of size 4 at addr ffff88800b1cac80 by task kworker Workqueue: events vsockpendingwork
Treat peer RST like any other unexpected packet type (err = -EINVAL). All destroy: arms now return err < 0, so vmcitransportrecvlisten() removes pending from pendinglinks synchronously and vsockpendingwork() takes the ispending=false / !rejected branch, dropping only its own work reference. This also closes the multi-packet race Sashiko reported on v2: pending is removed from the list before any subsequent packet can find it.
The pre-existing skacceptqremoved() gap on the err < 0 path of vmcitransportrecvlisten() that Sashiko also noted is not introduced or changed by this patch.
Tested on lts-6.12.79 with KASAN: 52/100 unpatched -> 0/100 patched.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-64115?
CVE-2026-64115 has a severity score of 8.8, categorized as high.
What does CVE-2026-64115 affect?
CVE-2026-64115 affects the Linux kernel, specifically the vsock and vmci components.
How do I fix CVE-2026-64115?
To fix CVE-2026-64115, update your Linux kernel to the latest version that includes the relevant patches addressing this vulnerability.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-64115?
CVE-2026-64115 is classified as a Use After Free (UAF) vulnerability.
What are the implications of CVE-2026-64115?
CVE-2026-64115 could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service due to the use of freed memory.