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CVE Record

CVE-2026-46093: mm/vmalloc: take vmap_purge_lock in shrinker

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/vmalloc: take vmap_purge_lock in shrinker decay_va_pool_node() can be invoked concurrently from two paths: __purge_vmap_area_lazy() when pools are being purged, and the shrinker via vmap_node_shrink_scan(). However, decay_va_pool_node() is not safe to run concurrently, and the shrinker path currently lacks serialization, leading to races and possible leaks. Protect decay_va_pool_node() by taking vmap_purge_lock in the shrinker path to ensure serialization with purge users.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-46093 is a Linux kernel race condition in vmalloc memory management. A local authenticated attacker may be able to trigger memory corruption-like consequences reflected by high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact in CVSS. It is not listed as known exploited in KEV based on the provided data.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue, especially on systems where untrusted or semi-trusted users can run code. There is no provided evidence of active exploitation, so prioritize rapid patch planning over emergency response unless your environment has high local-user exposure.

Technical view

decay_va_pool_node() can run concurrently through __purge_vmap_area_lazy() and the shrinker path vmap_node_shrink_scan(). The shrinker path lacked vmap_purge_lock serialization, creating races and possible leaks. Stable kernel fixes add locking around the shrinker path to serialize decay_va_pool_node() with purge users.

Likely exposure

Systems running affected Linux kernel versions or downstream vendor kernels containing the vulnerable vmalloc shrinker code may be exposed. The source bundle lists Linux kernel affected versions including 6.9, 6.12.96, 6.18.27, 7.0.4, and 7.1, but downstream distribution mapping must be confirmed with vendor advisories.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges required, and no user interaction. The provided sources do not claim public exploitation or KEV listing. Practical impact depends on kernel configuration, workload, and whether an attacker has local code execution on the host.

Researcher notes

The core issue is missing serialization in vmap_node_shrink_scan() for decay_va_pool_node(). Analysis should focus on affected kernel lineage and whether vendor backports include the locking fix. The provided record does not include CWE mapping, exploit availability, or distribution-specific fixed package versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux stable kernel fixes referenced for CVE-2026-46093 when available for your branch.
  • Check your Linux distribution or appliance vendor advisory for backported fixed kernel packages.
  • Prioritize shared servers, multi-user systems, containers hosts, and internet-facing systems allowing local workloads.
  • If no vendor package exists, evaluate upgrading to a fixed upstream stable kernel.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, images, appliances, and container hosts.
  • Compare running kernels against vendor advisories and the referenced upstream stable commits.
  • Confirm patched kernels include the vmap_purge_lock change in the shrinker path.
  • After remediation, verify systems booted into the updated kernel, not only installed it.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2026-46093 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
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

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
5Source 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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-46093Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux7679ba6b36dbb300b757b672d6a32a606499e14b, 7679ba6b36dbb300b757b672d6a32a606499e14b, 7679ba6b36dbb300b757b672d6a32a606499e14b, 7679ba6b36dbb300b757b672d6a32a606499e14bunaffected
LinuxLinux6.9, 0, 6.12.96, 6.18.27, 7.0.4, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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