CVE-2026-64073

irq_work: Fix use-after-free in irq_work_single() on PREEMPT_RT

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:

irq_work: Fix use-after-free in irq_work_single() on PREEMPT_RT

On PREEMPT_RT, non-HARD irq_work runs in per-CPU kthreads via
run_irq_workd(), so irq_work_sync() uses rcuwait() to wait for BUSY==0.

After irq_work_single() clears BUSY via atomic_cmpxchg(), it still
dereferences @work for irq_work_is_hard() and rcuwait_wake_up().

An irq_work_sync() caller on another CPU that enters after BUSY is cleared
can observe BUSY==0 immediately, return, and free the work before those
accesses complete — causing a use-after-free.

Fix this by wrapping run_irq_workd() in guard(rcu)() so that the entire
irq_work_single() execution is within an RCU read-side critical
section. Then add synchronize_rcu() in irq_work_sync() after
rcuwait_wait_event() to ensure the caller waits for the RCU grace period
before returning, preventing premature frees.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

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-8729-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8761-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8729-2 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi Real-time) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8761-2 Linux kernel (Azure FIPS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8781-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA Tegra) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8729-3 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8802-1 Linux kernel (Oracle) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8728-2 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8729-4 Linux kernel (Low Latency) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8729-5 Linux kernel (AWS FIPS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8728-3 Linux kernel (Oracle) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8729-6 Linux kernel (AWS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8906-1 Linux kernel (IBM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9066-1 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:7.1:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
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: irq_work: Fix use-after-free in irq_work_single() on PREEMPT_RT On PREEMPT_RT, non-HARD irq_work runs in per-CPU kthreads via run_irq_workd(), so irq_work_sync() uses rcuwait() to wait for BUSY==0. After irq_work_single() clears BUSY via atomic_cmpxchg(), it still dereferences @work for irq_work_is_hard() and rcuwait_wake_up(). An irq_work_sync() caller on another CPU that enters after BUSY is cleared can observe BUSY==0 immediately, return, and free the work before those accesses complete — causing a use-after-free. Fix this by wrapping run_irq_workd() in guard(rcu)() so that the entire irq_work_single() execution is within an RCU read-side critical section. Then add synchronize_rcu() in irq_work_sync() after rcuwait_wait_event() to ensure the caller waits for the RCU grace period before returning, preventing premature frees.
Title irq_work: Fix use-after-free in irq_work_single() on PREEMPT_RT
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
Oct 19, 2026, 8:28 PM
Reserved
Jul 19, 2026, 7:54 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Jul 19, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 9:17 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jul 19, 2026, 12:00 AM