CVE-2026-98507
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's memory management subsystem. Due to a missing synchronization barrier when preparing anonymous virtual memory areas, concurrent memory operations can be reordered. A local attacker can exploit this race condition by running concurrent threads on adjacent memory regions, causing lock mismatches or improper memory reuse. This flaw primarily results in a kernel hang or deadlock, causing a Denial of Service (DoS).
Statement
A race in __anon_vma_prepare can publish vma anon_vma before initialization of the anon_vma root field becomes visible to another CPU. A concurrent page fault can then obtain a stale root from reused SLAB_TYPESAFE_BY_RCU memory, lock the old root, and unlock a different root after the initialization becomes visible. This creates a use after free candidate and can corrupt rwsem state, permanently lock an anon_vma, and hang tasks. For the CVSS the PR:L is selected because an unprivileged local process can normally create adjacent VMAs, change VMA access flags with mprotect, and trigger concurrent page faults. AC:H is selected because successful triggering depends on a narrow race window and weak memory ordering. The issue is not network reachable.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
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 | 4.7 | N/A | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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