Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux perf software-event cleanup flaw can leave a timer running after its associated event is freed. The published CVSS assessment indicates that a low-privileged local user could potentially cause severe confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact without user interaction. It is not presented as a remotely reachable vulnerability.
Executive priority
Treat this as an expedited kernel maintenance issue, especially on shared or multi-user systems. Its local-access requirement reduces immediate internet-facing risk, but the published impact is high. Confirm affected assets and schedule vendor-approved updates promptly; emergency response is not supported by the supplied exploitation evidence.
Technical view
The perf software-event teardown path used hrtimer_try_to_cancel(), which could leave the high-resolution timer active while the perf event was freed. The cited fix adds a perf_event destroy handler that performs a full hrtimer_cancel() during final cleanup, preventing post-free timer activity. CVSS 3.1 scores it 7.8 with local, low-privilege attack requirements.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernels where a local user or process can reach perf software events. The bundle identifies 6.18, 6.18.6, and 6.19 as affected, but its version data does not clearly define complete ranges or distribution backports. Confirm exposure against the system vendor's package advisory.
Exploitation context
The supplied record is not listed in CISA KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. Local access and low privileges are required according to CVSS. A remote attacker would therefore need an existing foothold or another vulnerability before attempting to reach this flaw.
Researcher notes
The defect concerns timer lifetime during perf software-event destruction: a non-blocking cancellation attempt may return while the timer remains active, allowing the event to be freed prematurely. The corrective design performs full cancellation through a destroy callback. Sources do not specify a practical trigger, affected architectures, exploit reliability, or downstream backport status.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory running Linux kernels, prioritizing versions identified as affected in the CVE record.
- Apply a vendor-supported kernel containing the cited stable fix or an equivalent distribution backport.
- Follow distribution guidance for exact fixed package versions and supported temporary mitigations.
- Ensure the updated kernel is active after maintenance; installation alone may leave the old kernel running.
Validation and detection
- Record the running kernel version and compare it with the Linux distribution's security advisory.
- Verify the active kernel contains an equivalent of either cited upstream stable fix.
- Review whether untrusted local users or processes can access perf software-event functionality.
- Check kernel and security logs for unexplained perf-related faults, while recognizing that absence does not prove safety.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2026-23014 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9LinuxVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/deee9dfb111ab00f9dfd46c0c7e36656b80f5235CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff5860f5088e9076ebcccf05a6ca709d5935cfa9CVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.