CVE-2026-80730
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel. The ring-buffer component's cleanup routine can incorrectly attempt to stop a kernel thread using an invalid error pointer. This happens when kthread_run_on_cpu() fails, storing an error pointer in the rb_threads array. Calling kthread_stop() on this invalid pointer causes a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a kernel crash and a Denial of Service (DoS).
Statement
This vulnerability is rated as Low severity for Red Hat products because it is restricted to boot-time self-testing routines in the kernel ring buffer and requires thread creation failure to be triggered, making real-world exploitation improbable. The error condition occurs only during system initialization under severe resource constraints, such as acute memory exhaustion. Unprivileged users cannot trigger this code path during normal system operation.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 5.5 | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | N/A |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | N/A |
| Confidentiality | None | N/A | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
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