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CVE Record

CVE-2026-23161: mm/shmem, swap: fix race of truncate and swap entry split

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/shmem, swap: fix race of truncate and swap entry split The helper for shmem swap freeing is not handling the order of swap entries correctly. It uses xa_cmpxchg_irq to erase the swap entry, but it gets the entry order before that using xa_get_order without lock protection, and it may get an outdated order value if the entry is split or changed in other ways after the xa_get_order and before the xa_cmpxchg_irq. And besides, the order could grow and be larger than expected, and cause truncation to erase data beyond the end border. For example, if the target entry and following entries are swapped in or freed, then a large folio was added in place and swapped out, using the same entry, the xa_cmpxchg_irq will still succeed, it's very unlikely to happen though. To fix that, open code the Xarray cmpxchg and put the order retrieval and value checking in the same critical section. Also, ensure the order won't exceed the end border, skip it if the entry goes across the border. Skipping large swap entries crosses the end border is safe here. Shmem truncate iterates the range twice, in the first iteration, find_lock_entries already filtered such entries, and shmem will swapin the entries that cross the end border and partially truncate the folio (split the folio or at least zero part of it). So in the second loop here, if we see a swap entry that crosses the end order, it must at least have its content erased already. I observed random swapoff hangs and kernel panics when stress testing ZSWAP with shmem. After applying this patch, all problems are gone.

HighCVSS 7.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux memory-management race can corrupt data beyond a shared-memory truncation boundary and trigger kernel panics or swapoff hangs. Successful abuse requires local, low-privileged access according to the supplied CVSS vector. Systems using shared memory with swap, particularly ZSWAP workloads, warrant prompt review because integrity and availability impacts are high.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority Linux patching item for multi-user, container-hosting, or shared-workload systems using swap. Internet exposure alone does not establish reachability because the stated attack vector is local. Accelerate remediation where a kernel failure or unintended data modification would disrupt critical services.

Technical view

The shmem swap-freeing helper reads an XArray entry’s order without lock protection before conditionally erasing it. Concurrent splitting or replacement can make that order stale or unexpectedly large, allowing truncation beyond the intended boundary. The fix performs order retrieval and value validation inside the same critical section and skips entries crossing the end boundary.

Likely exposure

The bundle identifies Linux 6.12, 6.12.69, 6.18.9, and 6.19 as affected, plus an ambiguous “0” entry. Exposure is most relevant where untrusted local users or workloads can exercise shmem and swap activity. Distribution-specific package ranges and backport status are not provided.

Exploitation context

The supplied CVSS is 7.3 with local, low-privileged access required and no user interaction. The researcher observed random swapoff hangs and kernel panics during ZSWAP and shmem stress testing. The bundle does not identify KEV listing, active exploitation, or a public exploit.

Researcher notes

The affected-version data is incomplete and internally unusual: it includes “0” and repeated commit identifiers marked unaffected. Do not derive precise fixed-version boundaries from it. The referenced stable commits are the strongest supplied remediation anchors. The observed failures demonstrate reliability impact under stress, but do not establish malicious exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor kernel update containing the applicable referenced stable fix.
  • Check distribution advisories for package-specific affected and fixed versions.
  • Prioritize systems combining shared-memory workloads, swap, ZSWAP, and access by untrusted local users.
  • If no update is available, obtain mitigation guidance from the kernel or distribution vendor.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions and compare them with vendor advisories and the supplied affected versions.
  • Confirm installed kernel changelogs include the applicable referenced stable commit or an equivalent backport.
  • Review kernel logs for unexplained panics and operational records for swapoff hangs.
  • Regression-test shmem, swap, and ZSWAP workloads after updating.
  • Reboot into the corrected kernel and verify that it is running.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-23161 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.3CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H1.85.5Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.3High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-23161Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux809bc86517cc408b5b8cb8e08e69096639432bc8, 809bc86517cc408b5b8cb8e08e69096639432bc8, 809bc86517cc408b5b8cb8e08e69096639432bc8unaffected
LinuxLinux6.12, 0, 6.12.69, 6.18.9, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.