CVE-2026-89664

nfsd: release OPEN-decoded posix ACLs via op_release

Published Sep 11, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

nfsd: release OPEN-decoded posix ACLs via op_release

nfsd4_decode_createhow4() calls nfsd4_decode_fattr4(), which allocates
refcounted struct posix_acl objects via posix_acl_alloc() and stores
them in open->op_pacl and open->op_dpacl. These pointers must be
released once the OPEN compound finishes.

When nfsd4_decode_open_claim4() returns a non-seqid-mutating error,
the dispatcher short-circuits before op_func runs:

nfsd4_proc_compound()
if (op->status && op->opnum == OP_OPEN)
op->status = nfsd4_open_omfg(...)
if (!seqid_mutating_err(ntohl(op->status)))
return op->status; /* nfsd4_open() never runs */
...
opdesc->op_release(&op->u) /* must still release op_pacl/op_dpacl */

Before this change OP_OPEN had no .op_release in nfsd4_ops[], and the
release pair lived inside nfsd4_open() at its out_err: label. On the
short-circuit path nfsd4_open() is never invoked, so both posix_acl
refs leak on every malformed OPEN compound that carries valid POSIX
ACL createhow4 attributes.

Add nfsd4_open_release() and wire it as .op_release for OP_OPEN.
posix_acl_release() is NULL-safe, so the single release site covers
both the normal path and the nfsd4_open_omfg short-circuit. Remove
the matching posix_acl_release() pair from nfsd4_open()'s out_err:
label to avoid double-releasing.

The compound loop has two encoding branches: nfsd4_encode_operation()
for normal ops, and nfsd4_encode_replay() for v4.0 replayed ops.
op_release was only called from nfsd4_encode_operation(), so resources
attached to op->u leak on the replay path.

Move the op_release() call out of nfsd4_encode_operation() and the
replay branch, placing it after the if-else in nfsd4_proc_compound().
This gives a single call site in a fairly obviously-correct place,
covering both the normal encoding and replay paths.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
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 cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-401
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-911
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-401
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfsd: release OPEN-decoded posix ACLs via op_release nfsd4_decode_createhow4() calls nfsd4_decode_fattr4(), which allocates refcounted struct posix_acl objects via posix_acl_alloc() and stores them in open->op_pacl and open->op_dpacl. These pointers must be released once the OPEN compound finishes. When nfsd4_decode_open_claim4() returns a non-seqid-mutating error, the dispatcher short-circuits before op_func runs: nfsd4_proc_compound() if (op->status && op->opnum == OP_OPEN) op->status = nfsd4_open_omfg(...) if (!seqid_mutating_err(ntohl(op->status))) return op->status; /* nfsd4_open() never runs */ ... opdesc->op_release(&op->u) /* must still release op_pacl/op_dpacl */ Before this change OP_OPEN had no .op_release in nfsd4_ops[], and the release pair lived inside nfsd4_open() at its out_err: label. On the short-circuit path nfsd4_open() is never invoked, so both posix_acl refs leak on every malformed OPEN compound that carries valid POSIX ACL createhow4 attributes. Add nfsd4_open_release() and wire it as .op_release for OP_OPEN. posix_acl_release() is NULL-safe, so the single release site covers both the normal path and the nfsd4_open_omfg short-circuit. Remove the matching posix_acl_release() pair from nfsd4_open()'s out_err: label to avoid double-releasing. The compound loop has two encoding branches: nfsd4_encode_operation() for normal ops, and nfsd4_encode_replay() for v4.0 replayed ops. op_release was only called from nfsd4_encode_operation(), so resources attached to op->u leak on the replay path. Move the op_release() call out of nfsd4_encode_operation() and the replay branch, placing it after the if-else in nfsd4_proc_compound(). This gives a single call site in a fairly obviously-correct place, covering both the normal encoding and replay paths.
Title nfsd: release OPEN-decoded posix ACLs via op_release
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, 8:50 AM
Reserved
Sep 11, 2026, 7:38 PM
Status
Received
Published
Sep 11, 2026, 8:19 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 9:18 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Sep 11, 2026, 7:45 PM