Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
af_unix: Initialise scc_index in unix_add_edge().
Quang Le reported that the AF_UNIX GC could garbage-collect a
receive queue of an alive in-flight socket, with a nice repro.
The repro consists of three stages.
1)
1-a. Create a single cyclic reference with many sockets
1-b. close() all sockets
1-c. Trigger GC
2)
2-a. Pass sk-A to an embryo sk-B
2-b. Pass sk-X to sk-X
2-c. Trigger GC
3)
3-a. accept() the embryo sk-B
3-b. Pass sk-B to sk-C
3-c. close() the in-flight sk-A
3-d. Trigger GC
As of 2-c, sk-A and sk-X are linked to unix_unvisited_vertices,
and unix_walk_scc() groups them into two different SCCs:
unix_sk(sk-A)->vertex->scc_index = 2 (UNIX_VERTEX_INDEX_START)
unix_sk(sk-X)->vertex->scc_index = 3
Once GC completes, unix_graph_grouped is set to true.
Also, unix_graph_maybe_cyclic is set to true due to sk-X's
cyclic self-reference, which makes close() trigger GC.
At 3-b, unix_add_edge() allocates unix_sk(sk-B)->vertex and
links it to unix_unvisited_vertices.
unix_update_graph() is called at 3-a. and 3-b., but neither
unix_graph_grouped nor unix_graph_maybe_cyclic is changed
because both sk-B's listener and sk-C are not in-flight.
3-c decrements sk-A's file refcnt to 1.
Since unix_graph_grouped is true at 3-d, unix_walk_scc_fast()
is finally called and iterates 3 sockets sk-A, sk-B, and sk-X:
sk-A -> sk-B (-> sk-C)
sk-X -> sk-X
This is totally fine. All of them are not yet close()d and
should be grouped into different SCCs.
However, unix_vertex_dead() misjudges that sk-A and sk-B are
in the same SCC and sk-A is dead.
unix_sk(sk-A)->scc_index == unix_sk(sk-B)->scc_index <-- Wrong!
&&
sk-A's file refcnt == unix_sk(sk-A)->vertex->out_degree
^-- 1 in-flight count for sk-B
-> sk-A is dead !?
The problem is that unix_add_edge() does not initialise scc_index.
Stage 1) is used for heap spraying, making a newly allocated
vertex have vertex->scc_index == 2 (UNIX_VERTEX_INDEX_START)
set by unix_walk_scc() at 1-c.
Let's track the max SCC index from the previous unix_walk_scc()
call and assign the max + 1 to a new vertex's scc_index.
This way, we can continue to avoid Tarjan's algorithm while
preventing misjudgments.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 6.1.141 – < 6.1.159, 6.6.93 – < 6.6.117, 6.10 | 6.1.159 |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 6.17.9-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 6.12.63-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 6.1.159-1 | — |
| Debian 11 | linux-6.1 | 6.1.159-1~deb11u1 | DLA-4436-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 25.10 | linux | 6.17.0-12.12 | USN-8014-1 |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | linux-aws +2 | 6.17.0-1006.6 | USN-8014-1 |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | linux-azure +1 | 6.17.0-1007.7 | USN-8014-1 |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | linux-azure-fde | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | linux-realtime | 6.17.0-1005.6 | USN-8014-1 |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | linux-riscv | 6.17.0-12.12.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-aws-6.17 +1 | 6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-gcp-6.17 | 6.17.0-1008.8~24.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-6.17 | 6.17.0-1008.8 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-oem-6.17 | 6.17.0-1010.10 | USN-8014-1 |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-riscv +18 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +32 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +28 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +14 | No fix yet | — |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-realtime-6.14 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-realtime-6.17 | 6.17.0-1006.7~24.04.1 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 16.0 | kernel-64kb +8 | 6.12.0-160000.9.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20220-1 |
| SLES for SAP 16.0 | kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.9.1.160000.2.6 | SUSE-SU-2026:20220-1 |
| SLES for SAP 16.0 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_0 | 8-160000.4.3 | SUSE-SU-2026:20946-1 |
| SLES for SAP 16.0 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_1 | 6-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20945-1 |
| SLES for SAP 16.0 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_2 | 4-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20947-1 |
| SLES for SAP 16.0 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_3 | 3-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20944-1 |
| SLES 16.0 | kernel-64kb +8 | 6.12.0-160000.9.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20228-1, SUSE-SU-2026:20220-1 |
| SLES 16.0 | kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.9.1.160000.2.6 | SUSE-SU-2026:20220-1 |
| SLES 16.0 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_0 | 8-160000.4.3 | SUSE-SU-2026:20946-1 |
| SLES 16.0 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_1 | 6-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20945-1 |
| SLES 16.0 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_2 | 4-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20947-1 |
| SLES 16.0 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_3 | 3-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20944-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.9.1.160000.2.6 | SUSE-SU-2026:20207-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16-RT_Update_0 | 6-160000.3.4 | SUSE-SU-2026:20831-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16-RT_Update_1 | 5-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20832-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16-RT_Update_3 | 2-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20828-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_0 | 8-160000.4.3 | SUSE-SU-2026:20841-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_1 | 6-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20840-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_2 | 4-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20842-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-livepatch-SLE16_Update_3 +1 | 3-160000.1.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20837-1, SUSE-SU-2026:20829-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.2 | kernel-rt +5 | 6.12.0-160000.9.1 | SUSE-SU-2026:20564-1, SUSE-SU-2026:20207-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 16.0 | kernel-default-base | 6.12.0-160000.9.1.160000.2.6 | openSUSE-SU-2026:20145-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 16.0 | kernel-rt +11 | 6.12.0-160000.9.1 | openSUSE-SU-2026:20145-1 |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2023 | kernel-livepatch-6.12.63-84.121 +1 | 1:1.0-0.amzn2023 | ALAS2023-2026-1430, ALAS2023-2025-1350 |
| Amazon Linux 2023 | perf +14 | 1:6.1.159-181.297.amzn2023 | ALAS2023-2025-1350 |
| Amazon Linux 2023 | perf6.12 +14 | 1:6.12.63-84.121.amzn2023 | ALAS2023-2026-1430 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 9 | kernel-uek +34 | 6.12.0-107.59.3.2.el10uek | ELSA-2026-50006 |
Advisories 26
- WID-SEC-2025-2747 Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Nov 3, 2026
- USN-8014-1 linux, linux-aws, linux-azure, linux-gcp, linux-oem-6.17, linux-oracle, linux-raspi, linux-realtime vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Nov 3, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20564-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Jul 9, 2026
- ICSA-26-188-05 Siemens SINEC OS CISA ICS & IT advisories · Jul 7, 2026
- SSA-253495 SSA-253495: Multiple Vulnerabilities in SINEC OS before V4.0 Siemens ProductCERT · Jun 2, 2026
- WID-SEC-2026-1772 Google Android: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jun 1, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20947-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 2 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Apr 2, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20946-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 0 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Apr 2, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20945-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 1 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Apr 2, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20944-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 3 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Apr 2, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20842-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 2 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 28, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20841-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 0 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 28, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20840-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 1 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 28, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20831-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel RT (Live Patch 0 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 28, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20837-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 3 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 28, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20832-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel RT (Live Patch 1 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 28, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20829-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel RT (Live Patch 2 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 28, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20828-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel RT (Live Patch 3 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 16) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 28, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2026:20145-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 23, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20228-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 23, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20207-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 23, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2026:20220-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 23, 2026
- ALAS2023-2026-1430 Important: kernel6.12 security update (Amazon Linux 2023) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Feb 18, 2026
- ALAS2023-2025-1350 Important: kernel security update (Amazon Linux 2023) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Feb 11, 2026
- DLA-4436-1 linux-6.1 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Jan 14, 2026
- ELSA-2026-50006 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 9) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Jan 13, 2026
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/20003fbb9174121b27bd1da6ebe61542ac4c327d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4cd8d755c7d4f515dd9abf483316aca2f1b7b0f3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/db81ad20fd8aef7cc7d536c52ee5ea4c1f979128
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1aa7e40ee850c9053e769957ce6541173891204d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/60e6489f8e3b086bd1130ad4450a2c112e863791
- https://mohandacherir.github.io/Qdiv7/posts/unix_new_gc/