CVE-2026-72123: can: bcm: defer rx_op deallocation to workqueue to fix thrtimer UAF
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
can: bcm: defer rxop deallocation to workqueue to fix thrtimer UAF
Commit f1b4e32aca08 ("can: bcm: use callrcu() instead of costly synchronizercu()") replaced synchronizercu() in bcmdeleterxop() with callrcu() and introduced the RXNOAUTOTIMER flag.
However, this flag check was omitted for thrtimer in the packet rx fast-path. During BCM RX operation teardown, a concurrent RCU reader (bcmrxhandler) can race and re-arm thrtimer via bcmrxupdateandsend() after callrcu() has been scheduled. Once the RCU grace period elapses, bcmop is freed. The subsequently firing thrtimer then dereferences the deallocated op, causing a UAF.
Adding flag checks to the rx fast-path (bcmrxupdateandsend) does not fully close the TOCTOU race and introduces latency for every CAN frame. Conversely, calling hrtimercancel() directly inside the RCU callback (softirq context) is fatal as hrtimercancel() can sleep, triggering a "scheduling while atomic" panic.
Resolve this by deferring the timer cancellation and memory free to a dedicated unbound workqueue (bcmwq). The RCU callback now queues a work item to bcmwq, which safely cancels both timers and deallocates memory in sleepable process context. A dedicated workqueue is used to prevent system-wide WQ saturation and is cleanly flushed/destroyed on module unload to avoid rmmod page faults.
Since the deferred work can now outlive the calling context by an unbounded amount, also take a reference on op->sk when it is assigned and drop it only once the deferred work has cancelled both timers, so a socket can no longer be freed out from under a still-armed timer whose callback (bcmsendtouser()) dereferences op->sk.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
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linux/Kernelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.10.265 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscvto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 7.0.0-38.38.1 - Compensating control
In the Linux kernel BCM RX teardown path, have the RCU callback queue work to a dedicated unbound workqueue named bcm_wq; cancel both timers and deallocate the rx_op in sleepable process context, and flush and destroy bcm_wq during module unload.
- Operational
When op->sk is assigned for deferred BCM RX teardown, take a socket reference and release it only after the deferred work has cancelled both timers, preventing the socket from being freed while a timer callback can still dereference op->sk.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-72123?
CVE-2026-72123 has a risk level of 42.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-72123?
CVE-2026-72123 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CAN BCM module.
How do I fix CVE-2026-72123?
To fix CVE-2026-72123, you should update your Linux kernel to the version that contains the patch for this vulnerability.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-72123?
CVE-2026-72123 affects systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel that implement the CAN BCM module.
When was CVE-2026-72123 published?
CVE-2026-72123 was published on August 15, 2026.