CVE-2026-53373

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

Published Jul 19, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

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

The mmap_prepare hook functionality includes the ability to invoke
mmap_prepare() 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 mmap_prepare action functionality, we deal with errors by
unmapping the VMA should one arise. This works in the usual mmap_prepare
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 mmap_prepare() 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 vma_mark_detached(), 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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8593-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8603-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8618-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8663-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8664-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA BaseOS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8728-1 Linux kernel (GCP) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8728-2 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8728-3 Linux kernel (Oracle) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/vma: do not try to unmap a VMA if mmap_prepare() invoked from mmap() The mmap_prepare hook functionality includes the ability to invoke mmap_prepare() 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 mmap_prepare action functionality, we deal with errors by unmapping the VMA should one arise. This works in the usual mmap_prepare 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 mmap_prepare() 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 vma_mark_detached(), 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.
Title mm/vma: do not try to unmap a VMA if mmap_prepare() invoked from mmap()
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Aug 5, 2026, 12:35 PM
Reserved
Jun 9, 2026, 7:44 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jul 19, 2026, 11:16 AM
Modified
Jul 29, 2026, 4:55 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jul 19, 2026, 12:00 AM