CVE-2026-74753

perf: Reject exited events as group leaders

Published Aug 26, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

perf: Reject exited events as group leaders

perf_event_remove_on_exec() sets remove-on-exec events to the EXIT state
and detaches their group relationships. The event's file descriptor can
remain open, however, and perf_event_open() currently accepts that event
as a group leader because its early validation rejects only REVOKED and
DEAD events.

A new sibling can consequently be linked to the detached leader. When
the leader is closed, perf_group_detach() observes that its
PERF_ATTACH_GROUP bit is already clear and skips the new sibling. The
sibling then retains a group_leader pointer to the freed event.

Reject group leaders in the EXIT state. Perform the check while holding
the shared context mutex so that an exec in the target task cannot detach
the leader between validation and group attachment.

[peterz: make the earlier test fully consistent]

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4817-1 linux-6.12 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6528-1 linux security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel 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
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
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
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf: Reject exited events as group leaders perf_event_remove_on_exec() sets remove-on-exec events to the EXIT state and detaches their group relationships. The event's file descriptor can remain open, however, and perf_event_open() currently accepts that event as a group leader because its early validation rejects only REVOKED and DEAD events. A new sibling can consequently be linked to the detached leader. When the leader is closed, perf_group_detach() observes that its PERF_ATTACH_GROUP bit is already clear and skips the new sibling. The sibling then retains a group_leader pointer to the freed event. Reject group leaders in the EXIT state. Perform the check while holding the shared context mutex so that an exec in the target task cannot detach the leader between validation and group attachment. [peterz: make the earlier test fully consistent]
Title perf: Reject exited events as group leaders
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 30, 2026, 12:30 PM
Reserved
Aug 15, 2026, 5:44 AM
Status
Received
Published
Aug 26, 2026, 3:16 PM
Modified
Oct 30, 2026, 1:20 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Aug 26, 2026, 12:00 AM