OCTOBER 13, 2026
Live Feed
Back to database
Case File

CVE-2026-89791

HIGH · CVSS 7.8 EPSS 0.15%

Source: NVD + CISA KEV + EPSS · Published 2026-09-16 · Last synced 2026-10-13

CyberRota Analysis

AI-Generated

The vulnerability in the Linux kernel affects the `perf` subsystem, specifically during the `mmap()` revival process, where a use-after-free condition can occur due to improper handling of reference counts. This flaw allows unprivileged users to escalate privileges to root by exploiting the race condition between memory mapping and unmapping operations. Organizations using affected Linux kernel versions should prioritize patching this vulnerability to mitigate the risk of local privilege escalation.

CVE
CVE-2026-89791
Severity
HIGH
CVSS
7.8
EPSS
0.15%
Linux

Original NVD Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf: Fix use-after-free when perf mmap() revival races with the last munmap() perf_mmap_close() drops rb->mmap_count *without* holding event->mmap_mutex (the refcount_dec_and_test() right before the refcount_dec_and_mutex_lock() of event->mmap_count). A concurrent perf_mmap_rb() can slot its entire "revival" path into that window (perf_mmap holds event->mmap_mutex for its whole duration, including rb_alloc): munmap side (perf_mmap_close) mmap side (perf_mmap_rb) ----------------------------------- -------------------------------- rb->mmap_count 1 -> 0 (no lock) (holds event->mmap_mutex) inc_not_zero(rb->mmap_count) fails ring_buffer_attach(event, NULL) rb_alloc() + attach new rb refcount_set(&event->mmap_count, 1) lock; event->mmap_count 1 -> 0 ring_buffer_attach(event, NULL) ring_buffer_put() -> frees the *new* rb The revival's refcount_set(&event->mmap_count, 1) is an invisible 1 -> 1 write: the close frees the just-revived buffer although the other process still has it mapped -- a page-level use-after-free allowing local privilege escalation to root by any unprivileged user (default kernel.perf_event_paranoid=2). Swap the order of the two counter updates: event->mmap_count is dropped first via refcount_dec_and_mutex_lock(), so its 1 -> 0 transition and the ring_buffer_attach() stay serialized with perf_mmap(). rb->mmap_count == 0 then implies every event using the buffer is detached already, so the result of the rb->mmap_count drop can gate the remaining teardown directly and detach_rest is no longer needed. An earlier fix for this race from Kyle Zeng and David Lee takes event->mmap_mutex around both counter updates [0]; here the not-last close stays lockless.