Use-After-Free Vulnerability in Linux Kernel Affecting Timer Management

CVE-2026-64560

What is CVE-2026-64560?

CVE-2026-64560 is a use-after-free vulnerability located in the Linux kernel, primarily affecting its timer management functions. This vulnerability arises due to a race condition during the execution of certain system calls, particularly when handling posix CPU timers and process execution flows. When a non-leader process executes, it may result in the premature deallocation of data structures related to timers, leading to undefined behavior when these structures are accessed afterward. If a freed timer object is accessed by a running process, it can trigger significant instability or crashes within the kernel, adversely impacting system performance and reliability. Organizations running Linux-based systems must address this vulnerability promptly to prevent potential disruptions or escalations in privilege exploitation.

Potential impact of CVE-2026-64560

1. System Instability and Crashes: The use-after-free condition can lead to unpredictable behavior in the kernel, potentially causing system crashes and making services unavailable, which can disrupt business operations.

2. Data Corruption: If an attacker or a rogue process manages to exploit this vulnerability, it may lead to data corruption, as the freed memory may not be properly managed, impacting the integrity of the data processed by the affected applications.

3. Increased Attack Surface: The vulnerability creates an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the Linux kernel, which could lead to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, thus increasing the overall risk profile of the affected systems.

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CVE-2026-64560

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