CVE-2026-74434: Linux Vulnerability (CVSS 9.8)

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rxrpc: Don't move a peeked OOB message onto the pending queue rxrpc_recvmsg_oob() takes a received oob message off recvmsg_oobq and, if a response is needed, moves it onto the pending_oobq tree. However, only the unlink from recvmsg_oobq is guarded by MSG_PEEK; the move onto pending_oobq always runs. As a result, reading a challenge with MSG_PEEK leaves the skb on recvmsg_oobq while also adding it to pending_oobq. Since struct sk_buff's rbnode shares storage with its next and prev pointers, rb_insert_color() overwrites the list linkage, and the skb, which holds a single reference, becomes reachable from both queues at once. When the socket is closed both queues are drained in turn. While draining recvmsg_oobq, __skb_unlink() follows the next and prev pointers that rbnode has overwritten and writes to a bad address. Also, as the skb holds a single reference but is freed from each queue, both the skb and the connection reference it holds are released twice. This leads to memory corruption and to a use-after-free caused by the connection refcount underflow. MSG_PEEK does not consume the message from the queue, so only unlink it from recvmsg_oobq and then move it onto pending_oobq or free it when the message is actually consumed.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.15%

5.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux	>= 5800b1cf3fd8ccab752a101865be1e76dac33142, < 9ada3931beb37068fcb725b34b0398457009f343; >= 5800b1cf3fd8ccab752a101865be1e76dac33142, < 5f470cc883416fea6d3bce18ef96bf91dd49ffc3; >= 5800b1cf3fd8ccab752a101865be1e76dac33142, < 5801cff7d5d7b4e9d877dfb627b23eb63167f02c
Linux	Linux	6.16

References

Timeline

Published: Aug 15, 2026
Last Modified: Aug 17, 2026
Status: Received

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-74434?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rxrpc: Don't move a peeked OOB message onto the pending queue rxrpc_recvmsg_oob() takes a received oob message off recvmsg_oobq and, if a response is needed, moves it onto the pending_oobq tree. However, only the unlink from recvmsg_oobq is guarded by MSG_PEEK; the move onto pending_oobq always runs. As a result, reading a challenge with MSG_PEEK leaves the skb on recvmsg_oobq while also adding it to pending_oobq. Since struct sk_buff's rbnode shares storage with its next and prev pointers, rb_insert_color() overwrites the list linkage, and the skb, which holds a single reference, becomes reachable from both queues at once. When the socket is closed both queues are drained in turn. While draining recvmsg_oobq, __skb_unlink() follows the next and prev pointers that rbnode has overwritten and writes to a bad address. Also, as the skb holds a single reference but is freed from each queue, both the skb and the connection reference it holds are released twice. This leads to memory corruption and to a use-after-free caused by the connection refcount underflow. MSG_PEEK does not consume the message from the queue, so only unlink it from recvmsg_oobq and then move it onto pending_oobq or free it when the message is actually consumed.

How severe is CVE-2026-74434?

CVE-2026-74434 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.15% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-74434?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

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