CVE-2026-74478
Linux kernel vulnerability
- Published15 Aug 2026
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: um: vector: fix use-after-free in vector_mmsg_rx() When vector_mmsg_rx() discards a packet whose overlay header fails verify_header(), it frees the skb and continues the loop: if (header_check < 0) { dev_kfree_skb_irq(skb); vp->estats.rx_encaps_errors++; continue; } The normal and short-packet paths fall through to the bottom of the loop body, which clears the consumed slot and advances the cursors: (*skbuff_vector) = NULL; mmsg_vector++; skbuff_vector++; The verify_header() < 0 path skips that via continue, so the freed skb is left in skbuff_vector[] and the cursors do not advance. The next iteration reads the same slot, gets the freed skb, and frees it again, producing a refcount underflow / use-after-free in the RX path. Discard the slot the same way the other paths do before continuing. Only transports whose verify_header() can return negative are affected: GRE and L2TPv3 do so on a cookie/session-id mismatch (raw/tap do not), so any peer on such a transport can trigger it without authentication.
CVSS 3.1 breakdown
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HRemediation
No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/180ff4c81faf01ec4e06082c9daa7c40518ead89
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4b9601595e8b6b5d18878cac0aeabc687d241111
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/67d58ab4f2ccf7145f3da07e025735a09c79de1b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7dc9781e320d664c9bdd50003c9acfddf363d1e1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/804b681002ead233abf49a3efd681f5468a835f9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/967c779c9853d2a1cc9cd8e61d300250c348f3d9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a7bc015bb798c525e7a82dd14225c6aeb994274b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/af421e9aed3920c7ac88c24daa48606c7112feca
Frequently asked
Is CVE-2026-74478 being actively exploited?
CVE-2026-74478 is not in the CISA KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit probability is 0.86%.
How severe is CVE-2026-74478?
CVE-2026-74478 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, rated critical. EPSS estimates a 0.86% probability of exploitation.
How do I fix CVE-2026-74478?
Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.
How Secuno handles this
Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2026-74478 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.
Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.