CVE-2026-46253
What it is
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pstore/ram: fix buffer overflow in persistent_ram_save_old() persistent_ram_save_old() can be called multiple times for the same persistent_ram_zone (e.g., via ramoops_pstore_read -> ramoops_get_next_prz for PSTORE_TYPE_DMESG records). Currently, the function only allocates prz->old_log when it is NULL, but it unconditionally updates prz->old_log_size to the current buffer size and then performs memcpy_fromio() using this new size. If the buffer size has grown since the first allocation (which can happen across different kernel boot cycles), this leads to: 1. A heap buffer overflow (OOB write) in the memcpy_fromio() calls 2. A subsequent OOB read when ramoops_pstore_read() accesses the buffer using the incorrect (larger) old_log_size The KASAN splat would look similar to: BUG: KASAN: slab-out-of-bounds in ramoops_pstore_read+0x... Read of size N at addr ... by task ... The conditions are likely extremely hard to hit: 0. Crash with a ramoops write of less-than-record-max-size bytes. 1. Reboot: ramoops registers, pstore_get_records(0) reads old crash, allocates old_log with size X 2. Crash handler registered, timer started (if pstore_update_ms >= 0) 3. Oops happens (non-fatal, system continues) 4. pstore_dump() writes oops via ramoops_pstore_write() size Y (>X) 5. pstore_new_entry = 1, pstore_timer_kick() called 6. System continues running (not a panic oops) 7. Timer fires after pstore_update_ms milliseconds 8. pstore_timefunc() → schedule_work() → pstore_dowork() → pstore_get_records(1) 9. ramoops_get_next_prz() → persistent_ram_save_old() 10. buffer_size() returns Y, but old_log is X bytes 11. Y > X: memcpy_fromio() overflows heap Requirements: - a prior crash record exists that did not fill the record size (almost impossible since the crash handler writes as much as it can possibly fit into the record, capped by max record size and the kmsg buffer almost always exceeds the max record size) - pstore_update_ms >= 0 (disabled by default) - Non-fatal oops (system survives) Free and reallocate the buffer when the new size differs from the previously allocated size. This ensures old_log always has sufficient space for the data being copied.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-787 · Out-of-bounds write
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- Linux Kernel < 5.10.252
- Linux Kernel < 5.15.202
- Linux Kernel < 6.1.165
- Linux Kernel < 6.6.128
- Linux Kernel < 6.12.75
- Linux Kernel < 6.18.14
- Linux Kernel < 6.19.4
- Linux Kernel 3.5
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.8
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-46253.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-46253. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/06d2c8bd108cea503f6f6e13e47495ed1085275f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fa9a047c6a50ec80c3890dd623b85e237f0d1fd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f73486ca822305c1cf5b8ebc0b53a6ab3801a81
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5669645c052f235726a85f443769b6fc02f66762
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/58bda5a1d1ee98254383ef34f76b2c35140513ea
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7cfe964e61c0ab667abd5f5b68e0acbf783efa4f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a6fc69a570c0780834246d52c856cc3dbc2605f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cff0ef043e16feb5a02307c8f9d0117a96c5587c
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/06d2c8bd108cea503f6f6e13e47495ed1085275f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fa9a047c6a50ec80c3890dd623b85e237f0d1fd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f73486ca822305c1cf5b8ebc0b53a6ab3801a81
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5669645c052f235726a85f443769b6fc02f66762
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/58bda5a1d1ee98254383ef34f76b2c35140513ea
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7cfe964e61c0ab667abd5f5b68e0acbf783efa4f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a6fc69a570c0780834246d52c856cc3dbc2605f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cff0ef043e16feb5a02307c8f9d0117a96c5587c