CVE-2026-64523
CriticalCVSS 9.8Exploitation Probability (EPSS)
Low risk27th percentile - higher than 27% of all known CVEs
Summary
In the Linux kernel net/handshake mechanism, a long-lived file reference was missing during handshake request processing. Using sock_hold() did not protect the socket structure from being destroyed by the consumer, potentially leading to use-after-free.
Risk Assessment
The organization may face crashes or potential security vulnerabilities in network communication using TLS or other handshake protocols.
Recommendation
Apply the Linux kernel patch that adds an hr_file pointer and proper file reference management in handshake_req_submit().
Original NVD description (English source)
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/handshake: Take a long-lived file reference at submit handshake_nl_accept_doit() needs the file pointer backing req->hr_sk->sk_socket to survive the window between handshake_req_next() and the subsequent FD_PREPARE() and get_file(). The submit-side sock_hold() does not provide that. sk_refcnt keeps struct sock alive, but struct socket is owned by sock->file: when the consumer fputs the last file reference, sock_release() tears the socket down regardless of any sock_hold. Add an hr_file pointer to struct handshake_req and acquire an explicit reference on sock->file during handshake_req_submit(). handshake_complete() and handshake_req_cancel() release the reference on the completion-bit-winning path. The submit error path must also release the file reference, but after rhashtable insertion a concurrent handshake_req_cancel() can discover the request and race the error path. Gate the error-path cleanup -- sk_destruct restoration, fput, and request destruction -- with test_and_set_bit(HANDSHAKE_F_REQ_COMPLETED), the same serialization handshake_complete() and handshake_req_cancel() already use. When cancel has already claimed ownership, the submit error path returns without touching the request; socket teardown handles final destruction. The accept-side dereferences are not yet retargeted; that change comes in the next patch.

