CVE-2026-90317

bpf: Invalidate RCU pointers after final spin unlock

Published Sep 17, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

bpf: Invalidate RCU pointers after final spin unlock

In a sleepable BPF program, a spin lock can provide the only RCU protection
for a kptr. The final bpf_spin_unlock() ends that protection, but the
verifier leaves the pointer valid. Another CPU can then free the object
before the pointer is used. A capability-limited runtime PoC triggered a
task_struct use-after-free in __bpf_get_task_stack().

Record whether the program is in an RCU-protected context before releasing
the lock. Invalidate RCU-protected pointers only when the unlock leaves the
final such context. This preserves valid pointers in non-sleepable programs
and inside an explicit RCU read-side section.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9018-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9018-2 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
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
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
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Invalidate RCU pointers after final spin unlock In a sleepable BPF program, a spin lock can provide the only RCU protection for a kptr. The final bpf_spin_unlock() ends that protection, but the verifier leaves the pointer valid. Another CPU can then free the object before the pointer is used. A capability-limited runtime PoC triggered a task_struct use-after-free in __bpf_get_task_stack(). Record whether the program is in an RCU-protected context before releasing the lock. Invalidate RCU-protected pointers only when the unlock leaves the final such context. This preserves valid pointers in non-sleepable programs and inside an explicit RCU read-side section.
Title bpf: Invalidate RCU pointers after final spin unlock
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, 9:01 AM
Reserved
Sep 11, 2026, 7:38 PM
Status
Received
Published
Sep 17, 2026, 5:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 9:19 AM