CVE-2026-97971
What it is
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nstree: check listing permission before taking a namespace reference legitimize_ns() takes a reference on the candidate namespace before may_list_ns() has decided whether the caller may see it. The __free(ns_put) cleanup on the denied path can drop the last reference to a mount namespace while we still hold the rcu read lock, and put_mnt_ns() may sleep there. This is the same problem commit 2ec2aff3c8e2 ("ns: make sure reference are dropped outside of rcu lock") fixed for the put_user() path. Neither ns_requested() nor may_list_ns() needs a reference, both only look at the namespace type and at the caller's own namespaces, so do the checks first and take the reference last. Splat: Voluntary context switch within RCU read-side critical section! WARNING: kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h:332 at rcu_note_context_switch+0x238/0x2a0, CPU#5: a/3442 CPU: 5 UID: 1000 PID: 3442 Comm: a Not tainted 7.0.0-30-generic #30-Ubuntu PREEMPT(lazy) RIP: 0010:rcu_note_context_switch+0x238/0x2a0 Call Trace: <TASK> __schedule+0xcf/0x650 schedule+0x27/0x90 schedule_preempt_disabled+0x15/0x30 __mutex_lock.constprop.0+0x550/0xaf0 __mutex_lock_slowpath+0x13/0x20 mutex_lock+0x3b/0x50 exp_funnel_lock+0xb2/0x260 synchronize_rcu_expedited+0xe7/0x220 namespace_unlock+0x26a/0x320 put_mnt_ns+0xd3/0x120 mntns_put+0xe/0x20 do_listns+0x13e/0x560 __do_sys_listns+0x126/0x2d0 __x64_sys_listns+0x20/0x30 x64_sys_call+0x2366/0x2390 do_syscall_64+0x105/0x5a0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x76/0x7e </TASK>
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
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- 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: 0.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Record status
- Received
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-2026-97971.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-97971. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
