Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2026-74753

Vulnerability identifier: #VU145974

CSH Severity: Low

CVSS v4: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]

CVE-ID: CVE-2026-74753

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows a local user to execute arbitrary code.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free in perf_event_open() group handling in kernel/events/core.c when attaching a new event to a group leader in the EXIT state. A local user can open a perf event as a sibling of a detached leader to execute arbitrary code.

The issue occurs because a sibling event can retain a group_leader pointer to a freed event after remove-on-exec detaches the original leader.

Linux kernel
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time for NFV
Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder for ARM 64
Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder for Power, little endian
Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder for x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM 64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, little endian
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time
kernel (Red Hat package)
kernel-rt (Red Hat package)

Install security update from vendor's repository.

Linux kernel - update to 7.0 rc3
kernel (Red Hat package) - addressed in versions 4.18.0-553.169.1.el8_10, 5.14.0-687.53.1.el9_8, 6.12.0-211.61.1.el10_2
kernel-rt (Red Hat package) - update to 4.18.0-553.169.1.rt7.510.el8_10

• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7a03413f31c196ab3894f988cdce0bb47b4fec42
• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ce010275c531475f9d6e7efb11b9e522c74ed2e
• https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fa091f46c3833fb22384f10eade2b4e1e1d0b278

• Use-after-free in Linux kernel events
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 update for kernel-rt
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 update for kernel
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 update for kernel
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 update for kernel