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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2026-64094 Linux CVE debrief

The Linux kernel has a vulnerability in the batman-adv: bla module that can cause a NULL-ptr deref for claim via dropped interface. This vulnerability has been resolved. The vulnerability is related to a NULL-ptr deref for claim via dropped interface without rtnl_lock held, which can cause a hardif to be retrieved as primary interface of a meshif, but then getting decoupled from the mesh interface. Users of the Linux kernel should review the official advisory for affected scope and severity.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Unknown
CVSS
MEDIUM 5.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-19
Original CVE updated
2026-08-11
Advisory published
2026-07-19
Advisory updated
2026-08-11

Who should care

Users of the Linux kernel, particularly those responsible for maintaining and securing Linux-based systems, should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to protect their systems. This includes reviewing the official advisory, verifying affected scope and severity, and applying patches or updates provided by the Linux kernel maintainers.

Technical summary

In the Linux kernel, the batman-adv: bla module has a vulnerability that can cause a NULL-ptr deref for claim via dropped interface. Without rtnl_lock held, a hardif might be retrieved as primary interface of a meshif, but then getting decoupled from the mesh interface. In this case, the meshif still exists but the pointer from the primary hardif to the meshif is set to NULL. The mesh_iface must be checked first to be non-NULL before continuing to send an ARP request using meshif. This vulnerability has been resolved in the Linux kernel.

Defensive priority

Medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Inventory and verify Linux kernel versions
  • Apply patches or updates provided by the Linux kernel maintainers
  • Monitor systems for potential exploitation attempts
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented
  • Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-19T16:17:50.353Z and has not been modified since then. The NVD entry is currently Received. There is limited information available about the vulnerability, and defenders should verify the affected scope and severity with the Linux kernel maintainers. The batman-adv: bla module is affected, and the vulnerability is related to a NULL-ptr deref for claim via dropped interface.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-64094 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-64094

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-64094 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64094

    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/0f3ebd7bb417aabc44853cc7c2a184ebb0e05b45

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2a8c9e86529156c62d9187b9ed9454c31665ad33

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f6266735a0ba6a568b6d4c9fa51c33a5a7f2d70

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/53cb3511f6eda37d3bd923545fdba6013b6d7bb7

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/555b8d3f5c313d81d46274fd0976352dafc80124

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6921a7683ae9ad0208d829e71f725a9e25ccff49

    416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/efb62458c94db1fe3a287e7e89c31b0cfb03f938

    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.