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CVE Record

CVE-2026-74478: um: vector: fix use-after-free in vector_mmsg_rx()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: um: vector: fix use-after-free in vector_mmsg_rx() When vector_mmsg_rx() discards a packet whose overlay header fails verify_header(), it frees the skb and continues the loop: if (header_check < 0) { dev_kfree_skb_irq(skb); vp->estats.rx_encaps_errors++; continue; } The normal and short-packet paths fall through to the bottom of the loop body, which clears the consumed slot and advances the cursors: (*skbuff_vector) = NULL; mmsg_vector++; skbuff_vector++; The verify_header() < 0 path skips that via continue, so the freed skb is left in skbuff_vector[] and the cursors do not advance. The next iteration reads the same slot, gets the freed skb, and frees it again, producing a refcount underflow / use-after-free in the RX path. Discard the slot the same way the other paths do before continuing. Only transports whose verify_header() can return negative are affected: GRE and L2TPv3 do so on a cookie/session-id mismatch (raw/tap do not), so any peer on such a transport can trigger it without authentication.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A remote, unauthenticated peer may trigger a kernel memory-safety failure when Linux's um vector receive path uses GRE or L2TPv3. The flaw can cause repeated freeing of the same network buffer, potentially crashing or corrupting the affected system. Raw and tap transports are not affected according to the record.

Executive priority

Prioritize immediate investigation for exposed GRE or L2TPv3 um vector deployments, followed by expedited patching or isolation. Other Linux systems are not shown to be exposed merely because they run Linux. Treat confirmed reachable deployments as critical, while avoiding assumptions that the CVSS impact guarantees code execution.

Technical view

When GRE or L2TPv3 header verification returns a negative result, vector_mmsg_rx() frees the skb but skips clearing its slot and advancing both cursors. The next loop iteration reuses and frees the stale pointer, causing refcount underflow and use-after-free in the receive path.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to systems using the Linux um vector receive path with GRE or L2TPv3 and reachable peers. Raw and tap configurations are unaffected. The supplied version information does not provide clear branch-specific vulnerable boundaries, so version strings alone should not determine safety.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes network-reachable, low-complexity, unauthenticated exploitation requiring no user interaction. A peer can trigger the bug through a GRE cookie or L2TPv3 session-ID mismatch. The bundle marks KEV false, and no cited source establishes active exploitation, public weaponization, or reliable code execution.

Researcher notes

The defective continue path differs from normal and short-packet handling because it bypasses slot nulling and cursor advancement. Reachability depends on verify_header() returning negative, which the record limits to GRE and L2TPv3 mismatch cases. The supplied affected-version entries are ambiguous; validate remediation through branch-specific commits or documented backports.

Mitigation direction

  • Update each affected kernel branch to a release containing its cited Linux stable fix.
  • Disable unused GRE or L2TPv3 vector transports until updates are applied.
  • Restrict untrusted peers from reaching required GRE or L2TPv3 transport endpoints.
  • Consult Linux or distribution guidance to confirm the correct fixed build for each branch.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernels and identify systems using the um vector network receive path.
  • Confirm whether GRE or L2TPv3 vector transports are configured; exclude raw-only and tap-only deployments.
  • Map each kernel build to its applicable cited stable fix or distribution backport.
  • After updating, verify the deployed kernel includes the slot-clearing and cursor-advancement correction.
  • Review kernel diagnostics for use-after-free, refcount underflow, or receive-path crashes.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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-2026-74478 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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
9Source 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
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-74478Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux49da7e64f33e80edffb1a9eeb230fa4c3f42dffb, 49da7e64f33e80edffb1a9eeb230fa4c3f42dffb, 49da7e64f33e80edffb1a9eeb230fa4c3f42dffb, 49da7e64f33e80edffb1a9eeb230fa4c3f42dffb, 49da7e64f33e80edffb1a9eeb230fa4c3f42dffb, 49da7e64f33e80edffb1a9eeb230fa4c3f42dffb, 49da7e64f33e80edffb1a9eeb230fa4c3f42dffb, 49da7e64f33e80edffb1a9eeb230fa4c3f42dffbunaffected
LinuxLinux4.17, 0, 5.10.265, 5.15.216, 6.1.183, 6.6.151, 6.12.103, 6.18.44, 7.1.8, 7.2affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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