PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-64008 Linux CVE debrief
A use-after-free vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's Rocket IOCTL create_bo function. The vulnerability occurs when a GEM handle is created early and inserted into the file's IDR, but the object is freed without removing the handle from the IDR if certain operations fail. This leaves a dangling handle pointing to freed slab memory, allowing for use-after-free (UAF) attacks. The fix moves drm_gem_handle_create() to after all fallible operations succeed, matching the pattern used by panfrost, lima, and etnaviv. Additionally, the return value of drm_mm_insert_node_generic() was silently overwritten by iommu_map_sgtable() and a missing error check was added. To verify, review the official CVE record and kernel patches for accuracy and completeness.
- Vendor
- Linux
- Product
- Unknown
- CVSS
- HIGH 7.8
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-07-19
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-07-30
- Advisory published
- 2026-07-19
- Advisory updated
- 2026-07-30
Who should care
Linux kernel developers and maintainers, Linux distribution vendors, and users of Linux-based systems should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it. This includes reviewing and applying kernel patches, inventorying Linux kernel versions and configurations to identify potentially affected systems, and monitoring for potential exploitation attempts using the Rocket IOCTL create_bo function.
Technical summary
The Linux kernel's Rocket IOCTL create_bo function creates a GEM handle early and inserts it into the file's IDR. However, if certain operations (sgt allocation, drm_mm insert, iommu_map) fail after the handle is live, the error path calls drm_gem_shmem_object_free(), which frees the object without removing the handle from the IDR. This leaves a dangling handle pointing to freed slab memory, allowing for use-after-free (UAF) attacks. The fix moves drm_gem_handle_create() to after all fallible operations succeed, matching the pattern used by panfrost, lima, and etnaviv. Additionally, the return value of drm_mm_insert_node_generic() was silently overwritten by iommu_map_sgtable() and a missing error check was added.
Defensive priority
High
Recommended defensive actions
- Review and apply the provided kernel patches to fix the vulnerability
- Inventory Linux kernel versions and configurations to identify potentially affected systems
- Monitor for potential exploitation attempts using the Rocket IOCTL create_bo function
- Implement compensating controls, such as memory protection mechanisms, to reduce the attack surface
- Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up
- Review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance
- Plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed
Evidence notes
The CVE record was published on 2026-07-19T16:17:40.557Z and has not been modified since then. The NVD entry is currently Received. The vulnerability was resolved in the Linux kernel by moving drm_gem_handle_create() to after all fallible operations succeed.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-64008 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-64008
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
-
CVE-2026-64008 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64008
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18abd88d19ea195e2e1547fca0970c2f91d77a42
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/451f1ccbbdb7b65021646704b15902655f8d228a
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f706e6a4ce75585af979aec3dcbdce68bc76306b
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.