In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
af_unix: Don't leave consecutive consumed OOB skbs.
Jann Horn reported a use-after-free in unix_stream_read_generic().
The following sequences reproduce the issue:
$ python3
from socket import *
s1, s2 = socketpair(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM)
s1.send(b'x', MSG_OOB)
s2.recv(1, MSG_OOB) # leave a consumed OOB skb
s1.send(b'y', MSG_OOB)
s2.recv(1, MSG_OOB) # leave a consumed OOB skb
s1.send(b'z', MSG_OOB)
s2.recv(1) # recv 'z' illegally
s2.recv(1, MSG_OOB) # access 'z' skb (use-after-free)
Even though a user reads OOB data, the skb holding the data stays on
the recv queue to mark the OOB boundary and break the next recv().
After the last send() in the scenario above, the sk2's recv queue has
2 leading consumed OOB skbs and 1 real OOB skb.
Then, the following happens during the next recv() without MSG_OOB
1. unix_stream_read_generic() peeks the first consumed OOB skb
2. manage_oob() returns the next consumed OOB skb
3. unix_stream_read_generic() fetches the next not-yet-consumed OOB skb
4. unix_stream_read_generic() reads and frees the OOB skb
, and the last recv(MSG_OOB) triggers KASAN splat.
The 3. above occurs because of the SO_PEEK_OFF code, which does not
expect unix_skb_len(skb) to be 0, but this is true for such consumed
OOB skbs.
while (skip >= unix_skb_len(skb)) {
skip -= unix_skb_len(skb);
skb = skb_peek_next(skb, &sk->sk_receive_queue);
...
}
In addition to this use-after-free, there is another issue that
ioctl(SIOCATMARK) does not function properly with consecutive consumed
OOB skbs.
So, nothing good comes out of such a situation.
Instead of complicating manage_oob(), ioctl() handling, and the next
ECONNRESET fix by introducing a loop for consecutive consumed OOB skbs,
let's not leave such consecutive OOB unnecessarily.
Now, while receiving an OOB skb in unix_stream_recv_urg(), if its
previous skb is a consumed OOB skb, it is freed.
[0]:
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in unix_stream_read_actor (net/unix/af_unix.c:3027)
Read of size 4 at addr ffff888106ef2904 by task python3/315
CPU: 2 UID: 0 PID: 315 Comm: python3 Not tainted 6.16.0-rc1-00407-gec315832f6f9 #8 PREEMPT(voluntary)
Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS 1.16.3-4.fc42 04/01/2014
Call Trace:
<TASK>
dump_stack_lvl (lib/dump_stack.c:122)
print_report (mm/kasan/report.c:409 mm/kasan/report.c:521)
kasan_report (mm/kasan/report.c:636)
unix_stream_read_actor (net/unix/af_unix.c:3027)
unix_stream_read_generic (net/unix/af_unix.c:2708 net/unix/af_unix.c:2847)
unix_stream_recvmsg (net/unix/af_unix.c:3048)
sock_recvmsg (net/socket.c:1063 (discriminator 20) net/socket.c:1085 (discriminator 20))
__sys_recvfrom (net/socket.c:2278)
__x64_sys_recvfrom (net/socket.c:2291 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2287 (discriminator 1) net/socket.c:2287 (discriminator 1))
do_syscall_64 (arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:63 (discriminator 1) arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94 (discriminator 1))
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe (arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:130)
RIP: 0033:0x7f8911fcea06
Code: 5d e8 41 8b 93 08 03 00 00 59 5e 48 83 f8 fc 75 19 83 e2 39 83 fa 08 75 11 e8 26 ff ff ff 66 0f 1f 44 00 00 48 8b 45 10 0f 05 <48> 8b 5d f8 c9 c3 0f 1f 40 00 f3 0f 1e fa 55 48 89 e5 48 83 ec 08
RSP: 002b:00007fffdb0dccb0 EFLAGS: 00000202 ORIG_RAX: 000000000000002d
RAX: ffffffffffffffda RBX: 00007fffdb0dcdc8 RCX: 00007f8911fcea06
RDX: 0000000000000001 RSI: 00007f8911a5e060 RDI: 0000000000000006
RBP: 00007fffdb0dccd0 R08: 0000000000000000 R09: 0000000000000000
R10: 0000000000000001 R11: 0000000000000202 R12: 00007f89119a7d20
R13: ffffffffc4653600 R14: 0000000000000000 R15: 0000000000000000
</TASK>
Allocated by task 315:
kasan_save_stack (mm/kasan/common.c:48)
kasan_save_track (mm/kasan/common.c:60 (discriminator 1) mm/kasan/common.c:69 (discriminator 1))
__kasan_slab_alloc (mm/kasan/common.c:348)
kmem_cache_alloc_
---truncated---
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A local, low-privileged user can trigger a Linux kernel use-after-free through specially arranged out-of-band data on Unix stream sockets. Successful exploitation could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The supplied record rates it CVSS 7.8, but provides no evidence of exploitation in the wild.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue on multi-user, hosting, CI, and other systems executing untrusted workloads. Expedite vendor-approved updates, while recognizing that the available evidence supports local—not remote—attack conditions and does not show exploitation in the wild.
Technical view
Consecutive consumed out-of-band socket buffers can remain on an AF_UNIX receive queue. unix_stream_read_generic() may then read and free a live OOB buffer, after which another OOB receive accesses freed memory. The correction removes a preceding consumed OOB buffer during urgent-data receipt. SIOCATMARK behavior is also affected.
Likely exposure
Systems running the listed affected Linux kernel lines—5.15, 6.1, 6.6, 6.12, 6.15, and 6.16—may be exposed where untrusted local users or processes can create AF_UNIX stream sockets. Exact distribution package exposure requires vendor confirmation.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector indicates local access, low privileges, low complexity, and no user interaction. A controlled reproducer and KASAN evidence are documented, establishing the flaw's reachability. The record is not in KEV, and the supplied sources do not establish active exploitation or a public weaponized exploit.
Researcher notes
The failure is in AF_UNIX SOCK_STREAM urgent-data handling and involves zero-length consumed OOB buffers interacting with SO_PEEK_OFF traversal. The supplied KASAN trace identifies unix_stream_read_actor after premature buffer freeing. Researchers should use isolated test systems; the bundle does not establish exploitability beyond the demonstrated use-after-free.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel update that includes the applicable upstream stable fix.
Check Linux distribution or appliance advisories for exact patched package versions.
Prioritize shared systems where untrusted users or workloads can execute locally.
If immediate updating is impossible, reduce untrusted local code execution pending vendor guidance.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions across hosts, containers' hosts, appliances, and virtual machines.
Compare each kernel package against the applicable vendor advisory and upstream stable fix.
Confirm systems rebooted into the corrected kernel after installation.
Use authenticated scanning or package inventory to identify hosts still running superseded kernels.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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