CVE-2026-64400: ksmbd: prevent path traversal bypass by restricting caseless retry
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ksmbd: prevent path traversal bypass by restricting caseless retry
ksmbdvfspathlookup() enforces LOOKUPBENEATH to restrict path resolution within the share root. When a crafted path attempts to escape the share boundary using parent-directory components ('..'), vfspathparentlookup() detects this and immediately fails, returning -EXDEV.
However, a bug exists in ksmbdvfskernpath() under caseless mode. The function fails to intercept the -EXDEV error and erroneously falls through to the caseless retry logic, which is intended only for genuinely missing files. During this retry process, the path is reconstructed, leading to an unintended LOOKUPBENEATH bypass that allows write-capable users to create zero-length files or directories outside the exported share.
Fix this by ensuring that the execution only proceeds to the caseless lookup retry when the error is specifically -ENOENT. Any other errors, such as -EXDEV from a path traversal attempt, must be returned immediately.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-aws-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1012.12~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-hwe-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1018.18~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegrato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1035.38 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracle-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscv-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31.1~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-awsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1012.12 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azureto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1014.14 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-fdeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcpto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gketo a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1006.7 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibmto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidiato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1018.18 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-bosto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-2018.18 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oem-7.0to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1013.13 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracleto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1011.11 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-raspito a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-1019.19 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-realtimeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscvto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-31.31.1 - Upgrade
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debian/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.1.4-1 - Upgrade
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debian/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.14-1 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.1.191 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.6.160 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.12.114 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.18.57 - Upgrade
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.1.4
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which systems are exposed to this issue?
Systems using ksmbd and exporting SMB shares with caseless mode enabled are exposed. An attacker must be able to access a vulnerable exported share as a write-capable user.
What does an attacker need to exploit the flaw?
The attacker needs network access to the ksmbd SMB service and credentials or access that permit writes to the affected share. They must submit a crafted path containing parent-directory components to attempt to escape the share root.
What is the practical impact of successful exploitation?
A successful exploit can bypass the share's path restriction and create zero-length files or directories outside the exported share. The described impact is limited to creation of those filesystem objects.
How can I determine whether a system may be affected?
Review whether ksmbd is in use, whether any SMB exports enable caseless mode, and whether users with write permissions can access those exports. The vulnerable behavior is specifically triggered when a path traversal attempt produces -EXDEV and is incorrectly retried as a caseless lookup.