SB20261022483 - Use-after-free in Linux kernel kernel/audit_tree.c: kill_rules(); audit_mark_compare()

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Main Vulnerability Database SB20261022483

SB20261022483 - Use-after-free in Linux kernel kernel/audit_tree.c: kill_rules(); audit_mark_compare()

Published: October 22, 2026

Security Bulletin ID SB20261022483
CSH Severity
Low
Patch available
YES
Number of vulnerabilities 1
Exploitation vector Local access
Highest impact Denial of service

Breakdown by Severity

Low 100%
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Critical

Description

This security bulletin contains information about 1 vulnerability.


1) Use-after-free (CVE-ID: CVE-2026-98862)

CWE-ID: CWE-416 - Use After Free

CVSSv4: 5.6 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]


The vulnerability allows a local privileged user to potentially cause a denial of service through a kernel use-after-free.

The vulnerability exists due to use-after-free in the Linux kernel audit subsystem's kill_rules() function when pruning an audit tree containing mixed AUDIT_DIR and AUDIT_EXE rules. A local privileged user can install a rule using AUDIT_ADD_RULE with CAP_AUDIT_CONTROL and remove the watched directory while another task evaluates the rule, causing audit_mark_compare() to access an executable mark already freed by fsnotify and potentially trigger a kernel crash.


Remediation

Install update from vendor's website.

References